KUALA LUMPUR — The inability to secure the maximum quota of two Tier One friendlies during FIFA’s international match window is a significant setback for the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM).
FAM deputy president Datuk Yusoff Mahadi expressed this concern today after it was confirmed that the Harimau Malaya squad will only play one friendly match this month—against world number 95, New Zealand, in Auckland next week.
It is understood that eight Oceania teams turned down Malaysia’s request for a friendly.
“It’s a loss because it impacts our rankings. We always aim to do our best, but sometimes, due to circumstances beyond our control, we are unable to make it happen.
“With the final rounds of World Cup qualifiers and other commitments, we couldn’t arrange another Tier One friendly this month. It’s not easy to secure these matches.
“Even lower-ranked teams declined. At this stage, each team takes care of its own interests, which we completely understand,” he said after FAM’s 12th executive committee meeting for the 2021-2025 term.
Harimau Malaya is currently ranked world number 132.
Yusoff also mentioned that FAM is in the midst of arranging another match in November, having already confirmed a friendly against India on November 19.
“We are still looking for opportunities, and hopefully, we can arrange another match. It doesn’t matter if the team is from the same region or elsewhere, as long as they are willing and ready to play us.
“We’re always striving to face stronger teams to improve our world rankings, but sometimes, it’s just not possible to secure them. It’s not that big teams don’t want to play us, but they too are focused on gaining ranking points,” added Yusoff.
The international match window this month runs from October 7 to 15, with another window from November 11 to 19.
Harimau Malaya, currently under the guidance of acting head coach Pau Marti Vincente, will then compete in the 2024 Asean Football Federation (AFF) Cup in December. — October 7, 2024