PETALING JAYA, Aug 8 — Harimau Malaya squad were drawn against India in the second match of the Pestabola Merdeka 2023 on October 13 at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil.
In the draw ceremony here, the first match of the tournament will involve the tie between Palestine and Lebanon, also on October 13, to determine the final slot against the second match winner that will be held on October 17.
Commenting on the draw, Harimau Malaya head coach, Kim Pan Gon said they have full respect for India as well as two other teams as they are ranked higher than the national team in the Fifa ranking.
“We understand where we are (Fifa ranking) even though we have improved but we are still in 136th place while India is in 99th place.
“We monitor India from last year, they have a very good momentum (third round of their 2023 AFC Asian Cup qualifying) and they won all (Group D match). We will analyse the Indian team in a bid to have a very good preparation (Pestabola Merdeka),” he told reporters after the draw ceremony, here, today.
Based on the head to head record, Malaysia, who played twice against India in 2011, had lost 2-3 and drew 1-1 in a friendly match.
According to the latest Fifa ranking, Palestine is currently the top team that will be played in the four-team tournament, as they ranked in 96th place while Lebanon are in 100th place.
In the meantime, Pan Gon had set a target to clinch the title and hoped that Malaysian supporters will turn up to support the home team in Bukit Jalil.
“Even though our ranking is low and the opponents are much stronger than us but we must use the full advantage (playing at home). Hopefully all Malaysians will come to the stadium,” he said.
In the meantime, the South Korean believed that the Pestabola Merdeka 2023 and two Tier 1 international friendlies against Syria and China next month will be a good platform to prepare for the second round of the 2026 World Cup/2027 Asian Cup Qualifiers this November followed by the 2023 Asian Cup campaign in Qatar next January.
In the second round of the 2026 World Cup/2027 Asian Cup Qualifiers, which will begin in November, Malaysia have been drawn in Group D with Oman, Kyrgyzstan and the winner of the playoff between Taiwan and Timor Leste.
As for the 2023 Asian Cup Finals from January 12-February 10 next year, Malaysia are in Group E with two-time champions South Korea, Jordan and Bahrain.
Meanwhile, Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) vice president Mohd Firdaus Mohamed said they had lined up several events including the grand launch on August 31 and road shows in a bid to build up the excitement for the 42nd edition of the tournament, which makes a return after a 10-year hiatus.
For the record, Malaysia emerged as the team with the most Pestabola Merdeka wins with 12 titles including winning the last tournament since it first started in 1957.
Mohd Firdaus also believed that the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil will be ready to host the tournament despite the venue pitch undergoing a grass replacement work which is expected to complete end of next month.
“We do have plan B (should the grass replacement remain incomplete) but we cannot reveal the detail yet (venue),” he said.
The planting of Zeon Zoysia grass since last April to replace the existing Cow Grass, is estimated to cost up to RM1.4 million and is sponsored by the Tunku Mahkota Johor, Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim. — Bernama
