KUALA LUMPUR – Former Malaysia footballer Hairuddin Omar, popularly known as Hai-O, has urged local football fans to be patriotic in supporting the Harimau Malaya team.
Speaking to Scoop, the former striker, who won 54 caps and scored 13 goals throughout his international career, emphasised the importance of fans uniting behind the national squad, urging them to rise above club loyalties.
“It’s really disheartening to see our own fans spreading hatred among each other via social media without showing passion towards our national team as a whole.
“Things like this had never happened during my playing time. I’m very sure that those who spread hatred like this don’t have love for our country. If they really love our country, they won’t be acting this way.
“Harimau Malaya represents the pride and identity of our nation on the football pitch. You can be fans of Selangor FC, Terengganu FC, and Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT), but when it comes to the national team, it’s crucial for fans to transcend their allegiance from local clubs and rally behind our national team.
“In the spirit of true sportsmanship, I hope fans don’t pick favourites based on club affiliations. Every player wearing the national jersey contributes to the collective honour of our country. It’s time to set aside differences and cheer for Harimau Malaya as one united force,” said the former player.
Hai-O, who is currently the head coach of Terengganu FC II, commended Kim Pan-gon’s leadership and hopes to see his players play for his squad in the years to come.
“I have the utmost respect for coach Pan-gon and how he’s bringing back our national team to its glorious days. No one can repeat what he is doing now, and I’m happy to see the growth of our national team since the day he took over.
“Leading Harimau Malaya to next year’s AFC Asian Cup is a testament to his coaching abilities, and I would love to see my players such as Ubaidullah Shamsul, Safwan Mazlan, and Azam Azmi be a part of coach Pan-gon’s team and achieve the success the players are experiencing.
In Malaysia’s recent 4-3 victory against Kyrgyzstan in the opening second-round game of the 2026 World Cup/ 2027 Asia Cup qualifiers, fans were seen questioning the performance of several Harimau Malaya players by attacking them based on their clubs that they represent.
The incident caught the attention of the Johor Crown Prince Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, also known as TMJ, who called on fans to be grateful for the victory and stop trying to pit national players and supporters against each other.
On Tuesday, Malaysia edged Chinese Taipei 1-0 in their second Group D match of the 2026 World Cup/2027 Asian Cup Qualifiers in Taipei.
Malaysia is now on top of Group D with six points and is scheduled to face Oman away on March 21 next year and host Oman in a return match on March 26, followed by Kyrgyzstan (June 6) away and Taiwan again at Bukit Jalil on June 11 in their quest to qualify for the third round of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers. – November 24, 2023