Malaysia's successful 2010 coach Dato K. Rajagobal believes that the 2014 Suzuki Cup side have what it takes to win the nation's second AFF title.
Harimau Malaya take on three time champions Thailand over two legs in the final, starting with Wednesday's match at Bangkok's Rajamangala Stadium.
"Everybody will be saying Thailand is the favourite but Malaysia have a great chance," Rajagobal said. "As a coach you feel proud for the players and for the team and I was really happy for them when they beat Vietnam in the semifinals."
Dollah Salleh now has the job of coaching Malaysia after the end of Rajagobal's contract just under a year ago. He added that Dollah will have his own gameplan to get a result against Kiatisuk's Senumuang's pacy, young side.
"The good thing is that in the preliminary rounds they played against Thailand. I think Dollah has enough information about what to do as they go away first and come back to play at home."
Four years ago, Rajagobal's side were underdogs when they overcame Indonesia in the final, playing the home leg first. Although there are some parallels with the 2014 side -- including some of the same players -- the former Selangor forward will always have the mantle of being the first Malaysian to win the Southeast Asian crown, which earned him the prestigious national title of Datuk.
"It's two different scenarios," Rajagobal said. "In 2010, we were in the final for the first time in 14 years and went on to win it. It was like creating history."
Malaysia lost the inaugural final to Thailand 1-0 in Singapore in 1996. Thailand's other titles came in 2000 and 2002. They will be playing in their seventh final in 10 tournaments this year.