The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) is confident that the Harimau Malaya (national) squad will excel in the 2014 AFF Suzuki Cup championship in Singapore from Nov 23 to 29.

FAM deputy president Datuk Seri Afandi Hamzah said it was still too early to write the team off following their 0-3 defeat to Syria in a friendly match on Wednesday.

"The squad should be given a chance and the continued support of fans, as the national squad will be facing Vietnam in another friendly match at My Dinh Stadium in Hanoi, Vietnam on Sunday.

"I am confident with the preparations Harimau Malaya has undergone, the tigers will spring a surprise at the Suzuki Cup," he told reporters after attending the Football Association of Kelantan's 60th annual congress here Saturday.

Malaysia, drawn into group B in the AFF Suzuki Cup competition, will open their campaign on Nov 23 against Myanmar followed by Thailand on Nov 26 and both matches will be played at the Jalan Besar Stadium in Singapore.

The national squad will complete their fixtures against Singapore at the National Singapore Sports Hub Stadium on Nov 29.