TOUTED as one of the fiercest rivalries in Asian football, matches between Malaysia and Indonesia have always been exciting, and fans can expect another epic battle at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta today.
Despite the poor track record in Jakarta, Harimau Malaya are eager to roar hard and make a statement by beating the Garuda in the Group G match of the 2022 World Cup/2023 Asian Cup qualifiers.
Malaysia need to start winning matches against Southeast Asian teams like Indonesia if they hope to qualify for at least the 2023 Asian Cup in China.
For Indonesia, losing to Malaysia would be almost unimaginable in their backyard as they have only lost four times to their rivals in Jakarta since the first-ever meeting in 1962.
It would be a national disaster for Indonesia if Harimau Malaya return to Kuala Lumpur with all three points.
With Shahrul Saad manning the defence, a returning Brendan Gan shoring up the midfield and an in-form Safawi Rasid providing the goal threat, Malaysia have what it takes to silence the home crowd in Jakarta.
The last time Malaysia achieved a win on enemy turf was in 2004 when Bertalan Bicskei’s side won 2-1 in the AFF Cup.
National coach Tan Cheng Hoe was calm when accepting questions from both the Malaysian and Indonesian media in Jakarta yesterday.
Although admitting that Indonesia are favourites based on past records in Jakarta, Cheng Hoe warned that his players are psyched up to create a new chapter for Malaysian football.
“History may favour Indonesia at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, but we cannot keep looking back at past records. We have to start a new chapter tomorrow for our football,” said a confident Cheng Hoe yesterday.
“We know that the stadium will be packed to the brim with Indonesian fans, and things could become difficult for us. However, my players are experienced playing in tough matches and in front of hostile fans.
“I have reminded my players to just focus on our mission on the pitch. We need to control our emotion and not allow outside factors to disrupt our concentration.”
Mohamadou Sumareh has returned to fitness from an injury, and the Gambia-born is expected to play today.
Cheng Hoe confirmed that Sumareh is back in training and will be up for consideration for the game.
“We know Indonesia have good strikers, but my players are ready for them.
“My players have to go onto the pitch with more purpose and effort. Sumareh is ready, and I’m very happy to have him back in full training.
“But it’s not just him, the other players are also ready to get a positive result,” added Cheng Hoe.
For all the talk about a potential repeat of the tense situation that engulfed the Malaysian team in the final return leg of the 2010 AFF Cup, it has been calm and peaceful so far for Cheng Hoe’s side in Jakarta.
In 2010, the team, then coached by K. Rajagobal, were forced to board a Barracuda to and from the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium due to crowd trouble.