FOR the World Cup second round qualifiers, the national football team will have to travel a total of 20,639 kilometres for away matches, which is equivalent to a return trip to the South Pole.
Harimau Malaya’s pre-World Cup ‘away days’ included Jakarta and Hanoi this year and, for next year, it will be Dubai and Bangkok.
It would be difficult for Malaysian fans to follow Tan Cheng Hoe’s team to all the “away matches” due to the costs involved.
But for the hardcore fans, they will not give up trying, especially when one of the destinations in Malaysia’s World Cup Group G qualifier will be in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
A return trip to Dubai for three days, two nights will cost at least RM1,747, which includes transit in Kochi, India.
The cheapest accommodation, closest to the Al Maktoum Stadium in Dubai is RM302 per night. That will come to a total of RM2,351 without local transportation.
Fans, who hope to go to Dubai and Bangkok, should book their flight tickets and hotels earlier as it would be cheaper.
FHR Sports Consultancy managing director and football fan Firdaus Johari has made plans to head to Dubai and Bangkok for Malaysia’s away matches against the UAE and Thailand on March 26 and June 9.
Malaysia’s other pre-World Cup match next year is against Vietnam in Bukit Jalil on March 31.
Harimau Malaya are currently second in Group G with nine points from three wins after five matches, behind leaders Vietnam on 11.
‘The atmosphere for Malaysia’s home matches this year was amazing and electrifying.
‘Now I want to experience the away atmosphere.
‘I’ll be going with a friend and I’ve been saving up ever since the competition schedule came out,” said Firdaus.
The 36-year-old said it will cost at least RM3,000 to go to the UAE, which includes flight, accommodation and sightseeing.
The sum, however, is costly for some fans, including Firdaus’ friend Rizal Iskandar.
Rizal, a 38-year-old copywriter, said he will not be going to the UAE on March 26 but will probably make his way to Bangkok for the last Group G match against Thailand.
‘For a place like Dubai, we’re looking at a minimum of RM3,000, but for Thailand, it will cost around RM1,000 for a four-day trip,’ he said.
According to Rizal, he attended all home and away matches involving Malaysia and the most memorable experience was being at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium.
‘Jakarta was great although things got ugly among fans of both teams during the game, which Malaysia won 3-2. It was one of my most emotional moments.
‘For the first time, I had cried while singing the national anthem. I thought to myself, if I were to die, I would die during the match,’ said Rizal.
Another fan, Khairul Nizam Arifin also said he will likely skip the match in Dubai but will head to Bangkok with his wife, Nurul Nadiah Noor Azlan, for the game against Thailand at Thammasat Stadium.
‘I might not go to the UAE as it is too expensive but I will definitely be in Bangkok.
‘I have to start saving from now. This year, I’ve watched all home matches involving Malaysia with the best being the 2-1 win over Thailand on Nov 14.’
For Rizal’s friend, Aizat Alif Azmi, he hopes his employer Petronas will approve his leave application for his trip to Dubai to watch the match.
‘For fans, who want to attend the match in Dubai, they would need about three or four days for the entire trip. There have been generous offers from several companies and organisations for the trip, but there hasn’t been anything concrete so far,’ said Aizat.
‘I will go to the UAE to support Malaysia but that’s if my leave is approved’
The four fans hope Malaysia will qualify for the 2023 Asian Cup in China.
‘For the away matches, I hope the team will earn points as it will brighten our chances of advancing to the next round of qualifiers.
‘Of course, fighting for a World Cup spot will be a dream for fans but I think the team should focus first on qualifying for the Asian Cup. We need the experience of playing against top Asian teams before we can look at qualifying for the World Cup,’ said Aizat.
Nizam, 33, hopes Harimau Malaya will continue their good form next year and make an impression on the qualifiers.
‘Our mission to qualify for the Asian Cup needs to continue. Based on my calculation, we need to beat Vietnam at home and earn a point each in the away matches (UAE and Thailand) to reach the next stage.’