KUALA LUMPUR (15 Dec 2011) – The invitations are coming in fast and furious and thus far, the Malaysian national team have confirmed a game against Saudi Arabia on 20 February in Melbourne, Australia.
The Saudis will be playing against Australia in their final match of the third round of the 2014 World Cup qualifiers on 29 February and where they are hoping that a match against Malaysia will provide the final tune-up.
“Saudi Arabia have made the invitation where they are also willing to cover all our expenses for the trip, so it was just too good to pass up especially when we will be playing against a quality team,” said Datuk Subahan Kamal, the team manager of the Malaysian Tigers, who is also a vice-president of the FA of Malaysia (FAM).
“This development showed that the Malaysian Tigers are fast getting where other than against Saudi Arabia, we have also received several other requests although it is still in the negotiation stage.”
With Malaysia being one of the hosts for the final rounds of the AFF Suzuki Cup next year, the defending champions will be hoping that they can successfully defend the crown they won in 2010.
Other than the game against the Saudis, Datuk Subahan also revealed that the FAM are also in talks against Congo, Iran and Paraguay.
In the meantime, the Malaysian Harimau Muda fell to a 1-0 loss to a combination of Central Coast Mariners National Youth League and Hyundai A-League players in their second friendly in the tour of Australia.
In the match that was played at the Mingara Athletics Track, Tumbi Umbi, the only goal of the game came off Daniel McBreen’s well-taken goal midway through the second half.
The Malaysian youth side had beaten Sydney FC’s National Youth League 3-0 the previous day and where they will wrap up their trip with their last and final friendly game against Newcastle United Jets on 19 Dec 2011.
