Malaysia national football team

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[edit] History

Before the establishment of Malaysia on September 16, 1963, the Malaysia national football team was known as Malaya national football team. Malaya's biggest achievement in football was becoming the bronze medalist in 1962 Asian Games held in Jakarta, Indonesia after defeating South Vietnam 4–1.
After the establishment of the Malaysian Federation in 1963, the team became known as the Malaysia national football team. Malaysia qualified for the 1972 Olympics in Munich, beating Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and Philippines en route. Although they managed to defeat the United States 3–0, they lost the other 2 matches by losing 3–0 to West Germany and 6–0 to Morocco. Two years later, Malaysia won their second bronze medal at the 1974 Asian Games after defeating North Korea 2–1. The team went on to qualify twice in a row for the AFC Asian Cup, in 1976 and 1980. Malaysia qualified again for the Olympics in 1980 in Moscow, but joined the boycott of the games. The team also won the Merdeka Tournament 3 times, became runner-up 4 times and being third place 2 times during the 1970s.
In 1994 as Malaysian football was embroiled in one of the biggest bribery scandals in the country. With the dearth of mainstream interest and lack of funds, Malaysian football has failed to repeat the achievements of the 1970s and 1980s, despite the recruitment of Claude LeRoy. Harris came with strong credentials, having assisted Terry Venables at FC Barcelona and Allan Harris as coaches.

[edit] 2004–2005

In the second half of 2004, FAM selected Bertalan Bicskei, former Hungarian goalkeeper and national coach, to succeed Allan Harris.
Bicskei led the national side to third place at the regional Tiger Cup competition, but was demoted to youth development duties by FAM for his actions during a friendly against Singapore in Penang on June 8, 2005. Bicskei, disgusted by the standard of officiating, threw a bottle onto the pitch before confronting a Singapore player. In September 2005 the contract was terminated after mutual agreement.^[3]

[edit] 2005–2007

Norizan Bakar became the next head coach of the Malaysian team. He guided the Malaysian squad to the ASEAN Cup semifinals in 2007, where Malaysia lost through penalties to Singapore. Norizan's position as the head coach was criticized by the Malaysian football community, fans and officials alike, after the team's performances during the 2007 AFC Asian Cup, where Malaysia lost to China 1–5, Uzbekistan 0–5 and Iran 0–2.
After the removal of Norizan Bakar, B. Sathianathan took over as head coach. Although he guided the squad to win the 2007 Merdeka Tournament, Malaysia once again failed to qualify for the World Cup after losing 4–1 and drawing 0–0 with Bahrain in the qualifying round.

[edit] 2007–2009

In 2008, Sathianathan once again guided the team to the final of the 2008 Merdeka Tournament. However, Malaysia lost through penalties to Vietnam. Sathianathan also led Malaysia to the semi finals of 2008 Myanmar Grand Royal Challenge Cup. However, Malaysia then shockingly lost 4–1 to eventually winners, Myanmar.^[4]
During the 2008 AFF Suzuki Cup, Malaysia started their campaign with a 3–0 win over Laos, but were defeated in the second match by Vietnam with a score of 2–3 and were finally eliminated when they lost 3–0 to Thailand in the final match of the group stage. This was the first time that the Malaysian squad had not passed through the group stages in 12 years.
In the 2011 Asian Cup qualifiers, the Malaysian team lost 0–5 to the United Arab Emirates. This defeat was the final straw in the eyes of the Malaysian supporters, and in February 2009, the contracts of Sathianathan and manager Soh Chin Aun were terminated.^[5] Former U-20 Malaysia and Kelantan coach, Datuk K. Rajagopal was selected as the new head coach for Malaysia. He took over on July 2009.

[edit] Revival of the national team

Khairul Mahali Muslim Asraruddin Fadhli Ashaari Amar Safiq Kunanlan Norshahrul Safee

2010 AFF Suzuki Cup winners second leg of final starting line-up.

On July 2009, Datuk K. Rajagopal was named the new coach of Malaysia replacing B. Sathianathan as head coach of Malaysia. K. Rajagopal was also the coach of the Under-23 Malaysia.^[6] K. Rajagopal's first duty was against Zimbabwe which Malaysia won 4–0.^[7] Rajagopal also coached Malaysia in two games against the visiting English champions, Manchester United, losing in both matches 2–3 and 0–2. During his duty as the coach of the Under-23 team, K. Rajagopal led Malaysia to their fifth SEA Games gold medal and also led Malaysia to qualify for the second round of the 2010 Asian Games as one of the best four third-placed teams after a lapse of 32 years.^[8][9]

Malaysia became the champions of the 2010 AFF Suzuki Cup for the first time under Datuk K. Rajagopal.

During the 2010 AFF Suzuki Cup, Malaysia had 14 players at the age of under-23 while the other players were over 23. Malaysia were in group A with host Indonesia, Thailand and qualifiers winner, Laos. Malaysia began their campaign with a embarrassing loss of 5–1 against Indonesia. Malaysia bounced back from their defeat and later drew Thailand and beat Laos 5–1. As runner up of group, Malaysia qualified to the semi finals to meet Group B winners and defending champions Vietnam.^[10] In the first leg of the semifinal, Malaysia won 2–0 at home soil and later drew the second leg advancing to the final with an aggregate of 2–0 .^[11] Malaysia went on to the finals to meet favourites Indonesia who were unbeaten in all their matches. On the first leg of the finals, Malaysia won 3–0 at home. Malaysia scored twice through Safee Sali and once by Mohd Ashaari Shamsuddin on a night National Stadium, Bukit Jalil was filled over capacity for the first time since it was built. The match attracted so many people that after tickets were sold out, policemen manning the gates were seen allowing friends and relatives into the stadium causing people having to trespass onto the cable bridge above the electronic display besides standing on the aisles and corridors to secure a view of the game. On the second leg of the finals that was held in Jakarta, Malaysia lost 2–1 to Indonesia but the final aggregate was 4–2 to Malaysia, hence giving the title to Malaysia.

Malaysian squad at the first leg final of 2010 AFF Suzuki Cup.

Malaysia won the 2010 AFF Suzuki Cup title for the first time in their history under the management of Datuk K. Rajagopal.^[12]

[edit] 2011

After the successful year on 2010, Malaysia had high hopes for qualifying and winning friendly matches in the upcoming tournaments such as the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification. The Malaysian under-23 team, had been taken over by Ong Kim Swee and his Under 21 team, Harimau Muda A. Malaysia coach, Datuk K. Rajagopal had arranged a friendly match against Hong Kong which is ranked 145th. K. Rajagopal says that Malaysia should play a match once a month.^[13] On the under 23 side, Ong Kim Swee arranged two friendly matches against Thailand under-23 and Singapore under-23 in a preparation for the 2012 Olympics qualifiers. Malaysia U-23 lost narrowly 2–1 to Thailand U-23 and won 2–0 against Singapore U-23.^[14][15]
On 4 February 2011, FAM announced that they would call up the Malaysian/Australian player that is currently playing for Bonnyrigg White Eagles, Brendan Gan. Even though Brendan was born and raised at Australia, He could play for Malaysia through parentage as his father is a Malaysian Chinese from Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia.^[16][17]
Malaysia's 2011 campaign started off brilliantly with a 2–0 win against Hong Kong. Malaysia was scored by Mohd Safiq Rahim on the 44th minute and Mohd Amirul Hadi Zainal on the 92nd minute.^[18] FAM wanted to boost the morale for the national team by hosting a major tournament. On 19 February 2011, the ASEAN Football Federation announced that Malaysia and Thailand will be the preliminary host of the 2012 AFF Suzuki Cup.^[19]

[edit] Under-23 takes charge

Further information: Malaysia national under-23 football team

The former Malaysia under-20 and under-23 coach Datuk K. Rajagopal was selected to replace B. Sathianathan as the national coach in April 2009. Unlike before, K. Rajagopal had to be the coach of both the Malaysia senior team and the Under-23 team.
Malaysia uses the same squad for the under-23 team and the national team under the new management of Datuk K. Rajagopal. Malaysia national football team uses players below the age of 23, together with their senior players like Safee Sali and Mohd Norhafiz Zamani Misbah. This was set for the national team to prepare the challenges ahead of them.
Malaysia will use the under-23 team for the upcoming tournament such as the Ho Chi Minh City Cup, 2010 Asian Games and 2010 AFF Suzuki Cup.^[20] Malaysia used this way since the Football Association of Malaysia chairman, HRH Sultan Ahmad Shah, planned this and set the plan mainly for K. Rajagopal. This is as a result after the humiliation lost 0–5 to the United Arab Emirates at the 2011 Asian Cup Qualifiers. The Asian Games will be Malaysia preparation match for the 2010 AFF Suzuki Cup.
Some of the players who currently play for Malaysia are from the Harimau Muda A team which is the national under-21 side.
In the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou, Malaysia beat all odds to qualify for the second round for the first time in 32 years as one of the best four third-placed teams.^[21][22] They later went on to win the 2010 AFF Suzuki Cup by out classing fierce rival Indonesia 4–2 on aggregate.
After the successful year on both the senior team and the under-23 team, Datuk K. Rajagopal duty with the under-23 ended when he was replaced by the under-21 team coach, Ong Kim Swee. However, K. Rajagopal is still in charge of the senior team. Ong Kim Swee first duty with the under-23 were two international friendly matches against Thailand under-23 and Singapore under-23. Malaysia Under-23 lost narrowly 2–1 to Thailand U-23 and won 2–0 against Singapore Under-23.

[edit] Malaysia XI

Further information: Malaysia League XI

Malaysia League XI (also known as Malaysia XI or Malaysia League Selection) is a football team which represents Malaysia to participate in exhibitional matches. Malaysia XI mainly play Non FIFA 'A' international match while the competitive matches such as World Cup Qualifiers and the Asian Cup are played by the Malaysia national football team.
The team is formed by the top players in the Super League Malaysia. Some of the players are mainly from the Malaysia national team. Malaysia XI usually plays against Associated Football clubs throughout the world.
In recent years, FAM has always arranged matches between the Malaysian side and clubs throughout the world. Malaysia XI doesn't play a match for a few years. They only play a match if they are invited to. The team mainly play against a pre season friendly match for the opposite team to be prepared for their leagues.
Malaysia XI first match was a 3–0 defeat to Nottingham Forest on 31 July 1982. Malaysia XI is usually coached by the Malaysia national team. The team coach is currently Datuk K. Rajagopal. Malaysia XI never recorded any wins or draws since their first match at 1982. Malaysia XI currently lost all of their matches. The team played a total of 8 matches. Malaysia XI latest match was a 1–0 defeat to Chelsea FC on 21 July 2011.

[edit] Kit

Malaysia current home kit.

Malaysia current away kit.

From the 1970s to 2007, the national team kit was manufactured by Adidas who also sponsored the national team kit. Since 2007, the official Malaysia team kit has been manufactured by Nike, an association which will last until 2011. The home kit's design of black and yellow stripes is a throwback to the kit used by Malaysian national team of the 1920s. The great national team of the 1970s also sported similar stripes, which are supposed to be reminiscent of the stripes of a tiger, the symbol of Malaysia's national football team.
The new home kit also sports black shorts and yellow socks. The new away kit features a blue jersey, white shorts, and blue socks, with a representation of the Malay ‘keris’ at the bottom left corner of each shirt.
In November 2010, Nike Malaysia created a new football kit for the Malaysians specially made for the 2010 AFF Suzuki Cup. The home kit's design of black and yellow stripes that is shaped by black row of lines. The away kit features plain blue front and red and white at the edge of the sleeves. Nike put the Malaysian flag as their logo instead of putting the Football Association of Malaysia logo, as was the case for the great national team of the 1970s.^[23]

[edit] Training ground

The senior team and the Under-23 team mainly trained at Wisma FAM. Wisma FAM is a training ground located at Kelana Jaya, Malaysia. Wisma FAM was made during the late 1990s when Malaysia required a clear training ground, so the Football Association of Malaysia created this training ground, just for the Malaysia national football team. This training ground has been always Malaysia training centre. Wisma FAM sometimes is a centre where you can buy tickets for any Malaysia matches.
Sometimes, Wisma FAM also host a training match and it can also uses as a training ground for the women's national team, Under-21 team, Under-18 Team and the Under-17 team.

[edit] Media coverage

Malaysia home matches and some away matches (depending on the location and the broadcast station) are shown live or delayed on Astro Arena and RTM. All matches are broadcasted with full Malaysian commentary with Tuan Haji Hasbullah Awang.

[edit] Sponsors

According to the Football Association of Malaysia, Malaysia have around 10 sponsors. Primary sponsors include Nike, Astro Arena and 100plus. Local sponsor includes Telekom Malaysia, Air Asia, Majlis Sukan Negara, RTM, Malaysia Airlines, Sime Darby and Resorts World Genting.^[24]

[edit] Home stadium

Main article: National Stadium, Bukit Jalil

National Stadium, Bukit Jalil.

Malaysia's home stadium is the Bukit Jalil National Stadium. The stadium capacity is 100,200 (non-seated) or 87,411 (seated)^[25] which makes it the largest stadium in Southeast Asia, and the 9th largest football stadium in the world. Malaysia's previous national stadium was the Merdeka Stadium before the Bukit Jalil sports complex was constructed.
The stadium hosted the Opening and Closing ceremonies and the Athletics competitions of the 1998 Commonwealth Games. There were many other sports venues that were built for the Commonwealth Games, such as Bukit Kiara Sports Complex and the National Sports Complex, Malaysia.
Malaysia also uses other stadiums for their matches such as the KLFA Stadium, the MBPJ Stadium and the Shah Alam Stadium.