Malaysia captain Dion Cools to miss ASEAN Cup third-place match
Cools has left the national squad for family reasons ahead of Malaysia’s meeting with Vietnam at SUGBK on 5 October.
Malaysia will face Vietnam without captain Dion Cools in the third-place match at the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 after he left the national squad for family reasons. The teams are scheduled to meet at SUGBK on 5 October.
Tan Cheng Hoe, whose comments were reported by The Star, said Cools had a personal matter requiring urgent attention. Tan said the team respected his decision and wished him well.
Tan described the captain’s absence as a significant loss, highlighting his role in organising the defence and providing composure. He also praised the commitment of the entire squad across Malaysia’s three previous matches, rather than giving credit to Cools alone.
Malaysia scored nine goals and conceded none in their three group-stage games with Cools as captain. Those results were not enough to take them into the final, as Indonesia advanced ahead of them on goals scored. Malaysia will instead contest third place against Vietnam.
