KUALA LUMPUR – The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) has confirmed that Harimau Malaya will only play one friendly match against Syria before they kick off their AFC Asian Cup campaign.
Harimau Malaya, under the guidance of head coach Kim Pan-gon, arrived in Doha, Qatar, yesterday, with the hope of qualifying at least for the round of 16, a target set by FAM.
Apart from their closed-door friendly match against Syria on January 8, the football body had previously said they were approaching a couple Qatari-based clubs for friendly matches.
It was intended to help Harimau Malaya players adapt to the country’s environment and provide valuable game time experience for Pan-gon’s recruits before the actual tournament.
Speaking to Scoop from Doha, FAM president Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin said that the clubs rejected the friendly match offer, as their players have gone on their pre-season holidays.
“We were trying to get clubs to prepare the boys for a couple of friendlies, but luck is not on our side as the clubs are busy with their pre-season, and we also understand their situations as their local league (Qatar Stars League) just concluded in November.
“But I have confidence in our Harimau Malaya players as they have had a string of matches back home in Malaysia, playing high-intensity matches in the Pestabola Merdeka tournament and the 2026 World Cup/2027 Asian Cup qualifiers.
“We will continue playing Syria on January 8 as planned, and we will have a couple of matches between our players tomorrow or the day after tomorrow.
“Playing against Syria will benefit the new players, as Syria is a physical team. Our boys need to learn from such matches, considering there will be physically superior teams in the tournament,” said Hamidin
Hamidin also said that all the 26 selected players and coaches are fresh and in high spirits to compete in the tournament.
He further commended the organising committee for their warm hospitality since the day the team landed in Doha.
“The hospitality in Qatar has been brilliant since the day we arrived, and they have been taking good care of us by facilitating everything for us with ease.
“We have a couple of training sessions, and Pan-gon’s boys have adapted well to the climate and conditions in Doha. We did a recce to one of the venues, and the facilities are fantastic, including the training grounds.
“The boys and coaches are all pumped up for this tournament, and they have pledged to give their 100%,” Hamidin added.
World ranked 130 Malaysia last played Syria in a friendly in September, holding the 91-ranked team to a 2-2 draw.
The last time Malaysia played in the Asian Cup was when they co-hosted the tournament in 2007.
Malaysia, who ended a 42-year wait to qualify on merit for the Asian Cup, will begin their Group E campaign against Jordan on January 15, followed by Bahrain on January 20, and two-time champions South Korea on January 25. – January 2, 2024