Harimau Malaya should salute Garuda

New Straits Times

20 hours ago

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian football fans can only watch with envy as neighbours Indonesia moved closer to their World Cup dream this week.
The Southeast Asian nation now have a real chance of making it to the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada, if they succeed in the next round of qualifying.
The whole of Indonesia erupted into raptures after the Garuda stunned China 1-0 at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium on Thursday. Oxford United striker Ole Romeny scored the winner, albeit a controversial penalty, in the 45th minute.
The win leaves Indonesia in fourth spot in Group C — with 12 points with one game remaining — and into the next round of qualifying which could see them appearing in their first World Cup since gaining independence as a country in 1945.
The Indonesia team felt they could pull it off, and on the eve of the match, their coach, Patrick Kluivert said he was "very confident" his team would get a positive result against China.
In comparison, Malaysia, who used to be the better of Indonesia from the 1970s-1980s, always fell in the first or second round of World Cup qualifying. Indonesia are currently ranked world No. 123 while Malaysia are 132.
Here is the situation. As Indonesia bid to reach the highest stage in world football, Malaysia are currently training for a "very tough" Asian Cup qualifier against Vietnam on June 10.
While Malaysia have been busy recruiting "heritage players" from around the world — those with ancestral ties to Malaysia — Indonesia have gone on a recruitment drive of Dutch-born players and coaches from their former colonial ruler.
"The result is the most important thing. We are happy with the result. After this, we are going to build even more," said Kluivert.
"The things that we wanted to see came off in the game. I am very proud of my team."
The defeat leaves China rooted to the bottom of Asian qualifying Group C with one game remaining.
"As a coach of course I have the responsibility for the result," said manager Branko Ivankovic, who will likely face calls to quit.
The Croat said the future was bright for Chinese football despite the latest heartbreak.
They have won just two of their nine games in this round of Asian qualifying, losing seven.
"We brought the new generations and players into team China. I think we brought the motivation as well, I think this is where the future will be," said Ivankovic.