Tunku Ismail fires up Harimau with pre-match speech

New Straits Times

4 days ago

KUALA LUMPUR: The fiery words from the Regent of Johor, Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, were a key factor in Harimau Malaya's 4-0 thrashing of Vietnam in an Asian Cup qualifier at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil, last night.
The national team through their official Facebook page, Malaysia NT, shared a video from the dressing room showing Tunku Ismail deliver a spirited speech to the players before their match.
In the one-minute and 26-second video, Tunku Ismail, who also owns the Johor Darul Ta'zim club, told the players that the national team's struggle is a mission to elevate the country's football.
"Remember, there are some who don't believe. That's okay, we are doing something new. Let them be, what you are doing is more important than what they think.
"The time has come for us to show who we really are. If we change football in our homeland, it will be because of you, not anyone else, you are the heroes.
"We want them to believe, and one way they can believe is when we show character, a fighting spirit, this is our home," said Tunku Ismail.
Following Tunku Ismail's inspirational speech, Malaysia blasted Southeast Asia big guns Vietnam to end an 11-year winless streak against them.
Malaysia now top Group F with six points, three more than Vietnam and Laos, while win-less Nepal are bottom.