Selangor Journal
Harimau Malaya coach Kim Pan Gon during the Group E match of the 2023 Asian Cup qualifiers at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur, on June 11, 2022. — Picture by BERNAMA

Harimau Malaya can win against Taiwan despite missing key players — Pan Gon

PETALING JAYA, June 10 — Although without several key players, Malaysia can still record a big win over Taiwan in the last Group D match of the second round of the 2026 World Cup/2027 Asian Cup Qualifiers, at the National Stadium, Bukit Jalil, tomorrow night.

A big win will revive the chance for Harimau Malaya, led by Kim Pan Gon, to create history by advancing to the third round of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers and qualifying early for the 2027 Asian Cup.

However, it still depends on the outcome of another group clash between Oman and Kyrgyzstan in Muscat.

Kim said the 1-1 draw with Kyrgyzstan in Bishkek last week added pressure to his squad, who need to score at least seven goals against Taiwan despite playing without several key players due to injuries, namely wingers Mohamad Faisal Abdul Halim and Arif Aiman Mohd Hanapi.

However, the team never depended on one or two players, and he always applied team-based tactics.

“I mentioned before that we do not rely on one or two players; we always play as a team. I always talk about teams, not individuals; I never blame individuals. I talked to our players and said we have enough manpower (for tomorrow’s match).

“The players showed in the last game that we can compete with a 100-ranked team, Kyrgyzstan, in an away game; we created more chances than them. To me, with a few key players not here, it is unimportant; we have other good players,” Kim said during a pre-match press conference at Wisma FAM in Kelana Jaya today.

He added that the advantage of playing at home is an added value to the team’s efforts in hunting for a big win.

Kim noted that Malaysia has always recorded positive results at home when facing lower-ranked teams. Match statistics also favour the national team, including the 10-0 win against Papua New Guinea in a Tier One international friendly match last year.

“Against Papua New Guinea, who are a better-ranking team, we scored 10 goals. Of course, the manpower at this moment is a bit different but for the opposing team, it is always difficult playing in Bukit Jali. We have huge spectators, Ultras Malaya — that kind of environment and also the weather.

“So hopefully, tomorrow, all the football fans can come to fill the stadium to make the best environment, to support us to pressure the opponents,” he said.

Kim said his team is ready to take risks in tomorrow’s clash.

“All players are ready mentally and physically, and tactically also; we approach (it) a little bit risky, but we feel it will work. So we will correct something to try to challenge to go to the round 18 (World Cup third round Qualifiers),” he said.

Malaysia is in third place in Group D with seven points — three points behind second-placed Kyrgyzstan, who also have a goal difference advantage going into the final match, while Oman tops the group with 12 points and has qualified for the third round of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers.

In the final group matches, Malaysia, with a minus two (-2) goal difference, will entertain Taiwan, while Kyrgyzstan, with a +6 goal difference, will travel to Muscat to face Oman.

If the team fails to advance to the third round of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers, Malaysia will have to compete in the third round of the 2027 Asian Cup Qualifiers for a chance to make its second consecutive appearance in the tournament.

— Bernama

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