How has Malaysian football team fared in 2024?

The Harimau Malaya have had a mixed bag of results in games in 2024.

The Malaysian football team have had a turbulent but encouraging run of games in 2024. The team has showcased moments of resilience and growth in various international fixtures under former coach Kim Pan-gon and current caretaker coach Pau Marti Vicente. 

The Spaniard took over the reins from South Korean coach Kim Pan-gon, who resigned after the team’s elimination from World Cup qualification for the 2026 edition.

Malaysia’s run of form

Under Pan-gon, Malaysia’s performance in the  AFC Asian Cup was less than ideal where they lost two games but rebounded remarkably by holding South Korea to a thrilling 3-3 draw. 

The match against South Korea highlighted their potential to compete against stronger teams but their two early losses in the group phase cost them dearly. The impressive comeback in the game featured late goals and tactical resilience, which led to Malaysia equalizing in stoppage time.

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The performance in World Cup qualifiers was the death knell for coach Pan-gon. A 2-0 loss to Oman both home and away followed by a 1-1 draw against Kyrgyzstan spelled trouble for the Harimau Malaya.

Their victory over Chinese Taipei by a score of 3-1 saw them end the qualifiers with their first win, however, other results meant elimination. Malaysia finished 3rd in their group which saw Oman and Kyrgyzstan proceed to the next phase of qualification for the 2026 World Cup.

Following Pan-gon’s departure, his assistant Pau Mari Vicente took charge and guided them in their narrow 1-0 win over the Philippines. In his three games in charge, Malaysia has shown signs of resurgence winning two games and losing their only game against a superior New Zealand team. 

While challenges remain, especially against teams with higher rankings, Malaysia’s 2024 journey reflects a team in transition.

The current set-up shows commitment to building a more resilient and strategic squad for the future. Giving a coach like Vicente an extended run of games might see Malaysia on their way back to the summit of Asian football.

Malaysia are set to face the Indian national football team on 19th November 2024 which has all the makings for an exciting encounter between the two sleeping giants.  

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