KUALA LUMPUR, May 8 — National attacking midfielder Paulo Josue believes the 2026 Asean Fifa Cup presents the best platform for Harimau Malaya to end the country’s long wait for silverware when the tournament takes place from September 21 to October 6.

Josue is optimistic that the national squad have the ability to provide stiff competition against any team in Southeast Asia based on the performances previously displayed by the side against regional opponents.

“I think it’s a great tournament and a great chance for Malaysia to lift some trophy. We know we can compete against the teams in Southeast Asia quite well. We already proved it before. Struggle a little bit but I think definitely the team can do something for the national team against these national teams.

“So we just need to be ready, hope that coach Peter Cklamovski can manage to bring all the best players of the country at the moment, and then we can go there and try to achieve this kind of thing and it’d be great,” he said after the AllStar Legends press conference here today.

Josue said thorough preparations must be carried out early to ensure the national squad are fully prepared to face the major challenge in October.

He also hoped Harimau Malaya head coach Peter Cklamovski would be able to assemble the country’s best players to spearhead Malaysia’s challenge.

Earlier, Malaysia were drawn alongside Thailand for the group stage competition, scheduled to take place from July 24 to Aug 26.

The Group B line-up was announced during the official draw ceremony of the tournament held in Jakarta today.

Meanwhile, Vietnam have been placed in Group A alongside Singapore, Indonesia, Cambodia and the winners of the playoff match between Brunei and Timor-Leste. — Bernama