The Malaysia national football team is the national team of Malaysia and is controlled by the Football Association of Malaysia.
The Malaysian national team are nicknamed the Tigers, as the tiger is a national symbol of Malaysia. Their main regional rivalries are against Singapore and Indonesia. Before 1963, the team represented the Federation of Malaya and was known as the Malaya national football team.
Before the establishment of Malaysia in September 16, 1963, the Malaysia national football team was known as Malaya national football team. Malaya's biggest achievement in football was becoming the bronze medalist in 1962 Asian Games held in Jakarta, Indonesia after defeating South Vietnam 4-1.
After the establishment of the Malaysian Federation in 1963, the team became known as the Malaysia national football team. Malaysia qualified for the 1972 Olympics in Munich, beating Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and Philippines en route. Although they managed to defeat the United States 3-0, they lost the other 2 matches by losing 3-0 to West Germany and 6-0 to Morocco. Two years later, Malaysia won their second bronze medal at the 1974 Asian Games after defeating North Korea 2-1. The team went on to qualify twice in a row for the AFC Asian Cup, in 1976 and 1980. Malaysia qualified again for the Olympics in 1980 in Moscow, but joined the boycott of the games. The team also won the Merdeka Tournament 3 times, became runner-up 4 times and being third place 2 times during the 1970s.
On July 2009, K. Rajagopal was named the new coach of Malaysia replacing B. Sathianathan as head coach of Malaysia. K. Rajagopal were also the coach of the Under-23 Malaysia. K. Rajagopal first duty was against Zimbabwe. Malaysia won 4-0 that time. Rajagopal also coached Malaysia in two games against the visiting English champions, Manchester United FC, losing in both matches 2–3 and 0–2. During his duty as the coach as the Under-23 team, K. Rajagopal led Malaysia into winning their fifth Sea Games gold medal and also led Malaysia as they qualified to the second round as one of the best four third-placed teams after lapses of 32 years at the 2010 Asian Games.
During the 2010 AFF Suzuki Cup, Malaysia had a selection of young players at the final 22 men squad. Malaysia had 14 players at the age of under-23 while the other players were over 23. Malaysia were in group A with host Indonesia, Thailand and qualifiers winner, Laos. Malaysia begin their campaign badly with a embarrassing lost of 5-1 against Indonesia cost by Mohd Asraruddin Putra Omar as he makes an own goal. Malaysia bounced back from their defeat and later drew against Thailand and beat Laos 5-1. By achieving 4 points, Malaysia qualified to the semi finals. Malaysia met Group B winners and the defending champions Vietnam. At the first leg, Malaysia won 2-0 against Vietnam at home soil and later drew at the second leg. The final aggregate was 2-0 to Malaysia. Malaysia went to the finals to meet Indonesia. On the first leg of the finals, Malaysia won 3-0 in home soil. Malaysia was scored twice by Safee Sali and one for Mohd Ashaari Shamsuddin. For the first time, The stadium was full and reached over capacity with both Malaysian and Indonesian players storming the stadium. This was the first time that the National Stadium, Bukit Jalil was full since Manchester United FC visited Malaysia on July 18, 2009.
The former Malaysia under-20 and under-23 coach K. Rajagopal was selected to replace Sathianathan as the national coach in April 2009.
Malaysia uses the same squad for the under-23 team and the national team under the new management of K. Rajagopal. Malaysia national football team uses players below the age of 23, together with their senior players like Safee Sali and Mohd Norhafiz Zamani Misbah. This was set for the national team to prepare the challenges ahead of them.
Some of the players who currently play for Malaysia are from the Harimau Muda A team which is the national under-21 side.
In the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou, Malaysia beat all odds to qualify for the second round for the first time in 32 years as one of the best four third-placed teams.
CURRENT SQUAD :
GK :
22-Khairul Fahmi Che Mat =January 7, 1989 (age 21)
28-Mohd Sharbinee Alawee Ramli =December 12, 1986 (age 24)
DF :
2-Mohd Sabre Mat Abu =August 8, 1987 (age 23)
3-Mohd Faizal Muhammad =March 3, 1989 (age 21)
4-Mohd Asraruddin Putra Omar =March 26, 1988 (age 22)
5-Mohd Razman Roslan =August 14, 1984 (age 26)
7-Khairul Helmi Johari =March 31, 1988 (age 22)
18-Mahali Jasuli =April 2, 1989 (age 21)
24-Mohd Muslim Ahmad =April 25, 1989 (age 21)
27-Mohd Fadhli Mohd Shas =January 21, 1991 (age 19)
MF :
8-Mohd Safiq Rahim =July 5, 1987 (age 23)
12-Amar Rohidan =April 23, 1987 (age 23)
14-Mohd Khyril Muhymeen Zambri =May 9, 1987 (age 23)
15-K. Gurusamy =November 20, 1988 (age 22)
16-S. Kunanlan =September 15, 1986 (age 24)
17-Mohd Amri Yahyah =January 21, 1981 (age 29)
19-Mohd Faizal Abu Bakar =September 20, 1990 (age 20)
21-Mohd Amirul Hadi Zainal =May 27, 1986 (age 24)
FW :
9-Norshahrul Idlan Talaha =June 8, 1986 (age 24)
10-Mohd Safee Mohd Sali =January 29, 1984 (age 26)
11-Mohd Ashaari Shamsuddin =June 7, 1985 (age 25)
20-Izzaq Faris Ramlan =April 18, 1990 (age 20)
Malaysia U-23
