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KUALA LUMPUR – Harimau Malaya will be taking on Hong Kong and Myanmar in two Tier one international friendly matches in preparation for the 2023 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup final qualifying round in June.
In a statement, national head coach Kim Pan-Gon said the team is set to play Myanmar on May 27 and Hong Kong on June 1.
“The two teams are seen as suitable opponents for Harimau Malaya ahead of the encounters against Turkmenistan on June 8, Bahrain on June 11 and Bangladesh on June 14 as we bid to qualify for the 2023 Asian Cup finals,” he said.
Myanmar − currently ranked at 152 − will be in KL for a centralised training camp before they depart to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan for their Group F fixtures with Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Singapore.
Hong Kong, who are ranked 147, will be in town before flying off to Kolkata, India for their Group D matches with Afghanistan, Cambodia and India.
Both matches will be played at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium.
Malaysia is currently ranked 154 in the world, which is lower than both visitors.
Harimau Malaya will commence their centralised training camp on May 19 − a day after matchday 9 of the Super League.
“The three-week centralised training, which includes the two Tier one international friendlies, is aimed at giving the coaching staff the opportunity and space to further improve the level of play, cohesion, compatibility and combination of the players before taking on Turkmenistan, Bahrain and Bangladesh.
“Since the upcoming matches are to be held at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil, I wish to urge the loyal supporters of Harimau Malaya to come forward and express their support with the hope that it would transmit into the players to perform with energy and positivity and ultimately take the team to greater heights,” he added.
Previously during the Tri-Nations Series international friendly matches in March, Malaysia defeated Philippines 2-0 but lost out to hosts Singapore 2-1. – The Vibes, April 12, 2022