KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysian football fans will get to enjoy the live telecast of 51 matches of the upcoming AFC Asian Cup, scheduled to take place in Qatar starting January 12.
Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil confirmed this in a press conference in Putrajaya, saying that his ministry acknowledges the fan requests since the Malaysian national team is participating in the tournament.
He added that the ministry has negotiated with Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) to fulfil the wishes of local football enthusiasts.
“There are many people raising questions on social media about whether we would be airing the Asian Cup matches, and the government fully understands the public sentiment as Harimau Malaya are taking part in the tournament.
“So, we have decided to broadcast not only the Malaysian matches but also all the matches of the tournament live on RTM from January 12 onwards,” he said.
Harimau Malaya, under the guidance of head coach Kim Pan-gon, arrived in Doha, Qatar, on Monday, with the hope of qualifying at least for the round of 16, a target set by the Football Association of Malaysia.
Before the actual tournament, Harimau Malaya will play a closed-door friendly match against Syria on January 8.
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 3, 2024