MALAYSIA-KOREA MATCH TO CELEBRATE 50 YEARS OF DIPLOMATIC TIES

Malaysian chief coach K. Rajagobal will lead his Under-23 team against Hong Myung-bo’s charges at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil with kick off at 5pm.

The last time the Koreans visited Kuala Lumpur for a friendly match, Anatoly Byshovets’ Olympic squad lost 2-1 to the Malaysian senior team in the Merdeka Tournament in 1995.

Although the Koreans have made greater strides over the years, including appearing in seven successive World Cups since 1986, Malaysia in contrast is working hard to raise their game following a gold medal in the biennial SEA Games in Laos in 2009.

The Koreans are managed by star player-turned-coach, Myung-bo, a potential candidate to replace Huh Jung-moo as the senior team coach.

Myung-bo, a four-time World Cupper and Bronze Ball winner at the 2002 FIFA World Cup, has seen his managerial career continue to rise after leading the Korean Under-20 side to the last eight in the FIFA Under-20 World Championship in Egypt last year.

Four players from the squad that advanced to the second round of the recently-concluded FIFA World Cup in South Africa are eligible for selection for the qualifiers proper.

They are Bolton Wanderers right winger, Lee Chung Yong, FC Seoul attacker, Lee Seung Yeoul, left-footed Oita Trinita midfielder, Kim Bo Kyung and Celtic midfielder Ki Sung Yueng. However they are not selected for the Malaysian trip.

For the Malaysians, their possible line-up will include keeper Farizal Marlias, strikers Zaquan Adha Abdul Radzak and Khyril Muhymeen Zambri as well as defenders Aidil Zafuan Abdul Radzak and Muslim Ahmad.

Prior to the kick-off, highlights of the evening to commemorate the 50th diplomatic ties, is The Cultural Performances.

Spectators are welcome to witness and be entertained with eye-catching Malaysian Cultural Show that will take place at 3.45pm, followed by a colourful Korean Cultural Show and a taekwondo presentation during half time, which will commence approximately at 6pm.

Tickets are priced at RM30 for grandstand and RM10 and RM5 for children.

Tickets will be on sale on match day beginning at 10am.