Harimau Malaya Can Roar Past Group Stage - Indra Putra 

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 9 (Bernama) -- The national football team can create a sensation by getting past the group stage for the first time when the 2023 Asian Cup Finals kick off in Doha, Qatar on Friday (Jan 12), said former national player Indra Putra Mahayuddin.

He said his confidence stems from the fact that the Harimau Malaya squad this time have been well-prepared and have players with special qualities.

"This team can give a good fight in the group stage… what I can see is that we are strong in attack as we have the likes of Muhammad Faisal Abdul Halim and Arif Aiman Mohd Hanapi,” he said when contacted today.

Indra Putra, who featured in the Asian Cup in the 2007 edition, also hailed the credibility of head coach Kim Pan Gon who, he added, had brought many tactical changes to the squad compared to the one led by Norizan Bakar 16 years ago.

"I feel that Pan Gon has done the best and we all see how the team have improved. Even the players selected have different qualities,” he said.

The 42-year-old, who is still going strong with Kelantan United, said the inclusion of naturalised players had further strengthened the Harimau Malaya, who are now ranked 130th in the world.

As such, he advised the national players not to blow their chance to compete at the highest level in Asia and prove that Malaysia can live with the giants of Asian football.

"We have reached a high point, it allows our players to show the world that Malaysia is now at a top level. So, grab this opportunity to show that we can mix it up with the big guns,” he said.

Another player who featured in the 2007 edition, Akmal Rizal Ahmad Rakhli is also optimistic that the Harimau Malaya can pick up at least four points from the three group matches in Qatar.

"The national team we have now is the best I have seen in the past five years. Even the results they have picked up from international friendlies in 2023 were positive. 

"The players are in sync with one another and they all know what the coach wants tactically and, yesterday, they held Syria to a 2-2 draw, which is a good result. I think they are more than ready for the real challenge in the Asian Cup,” he said.

Malaysia, who ended a 42-year wait to qualify for the Asian Cup Finals on merit, will begin their Group E campaign against Jordan on Monday (Jan 15) before taking on Bahrain on Jan 20 and completing their group fixture against two-time champions South Korea on Jan 25.

Only the top two teams from each group and the four best third-placed teams will advance to the last 16 in Doha.

This is Malaysia's fourth appearance in the Asian Cup after qualifying on merit for three other editions - Iran in 1976; Kuwait in 1980 and as joint hosts with Singapore in 2007 - but they have never advanced to the round of 16.

Get the latest news and information on the 2023 Asian Cup at asiancup.bernama.com.

-- BERNAMA