KUALA LUMPUR: With Harimau Malaya just hours away from opening their 2023 Asian Cup campaign against Jordan, social media platforms are already buzzing with activities, with many sharing their thoughts and predictions.
A Bernama survey found tweets like 'Ayuh Harimau Malaya', 'Malaysia Boleh' and 'Ekor Harimau Sejati' by regular Malaysians and influencers going viral.
World No 130 ranked Malaysia, coached by South Korean Kim Pan Gon, will take on world No 87 Jordan tonight (1.30am, January 16 Malaysian time) and all eyes will be on Harimau Malaya after they ended a more than four-decade wait to qualify on merit for the second oldest continental football tournament in the world after South America's Copa America.
Investment, Trade and Industry Minister, Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz, tweeted on X (formerly known as Twitter) his hope of seeing the Harimau Malaya produce a clean and systematic performance.
"Malaysia's chances of winning the Asia Cup is at 0.2 per cent. If we look at our group, we are ranked lower than the other teams. So, realistically, if we want to steal some points, it can only be from Jordan and Bahrain (two-time champions South Korea are the other team in Group E).
"This is looking at it realistically. The dream which can hopefully come true is that Malaysia qualify for the next round. If they can do this, Malaysia will certainly create history," he posted.
Former Youth and Sports Minister, Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican, meanwhile, urged all Malaysians to join hands in their support and hope that Harimau Malaya emerge victorious.
Meanwhile, former Selangor manager and current sports observer Zakaria Rahim said the Harimau Malaya have no choice but to beat Jordan and create history tonight.
"The objective of this game is to create history. Win or lose is not the choice here but giving their best in every match is paramount.
"The reward will come by itself when efforts have been optimised. So, give all that you have and the mechanics of the game will give you fame," he posted on Facebook today (January 15).
Former national striker Safee Sali, through his Instagram story, called on all Malaysians, to jointly pray for Harimau Malaya's victory in their opening clash against Jordan.
Malaysia ended a 42-year wait to qualify for the Asian Cup on merit and will begin their Group E campaign against Jordan, followed by Bahrain on January 20 and South Korea on January 25.
Only the top two teams from each group and the four best third-placed teams will advance to the last 16 in Doha.
This is Malaysia's fourth appearance in the Asian Cup after qualifying on merit for three other editions — Iran in 1976; Kuwait in 1980 and as joint hosts with Singapore in 2007 — but they have never advanced to the round of 16.
Meanwhile, the Youth and Sports Ministry (KBS) will also have free big-screen viewings at 16 locations nationwide to further boost the support for the Harimau Malaya for all three group matches (refer to the KBS website https://www.kbs.gov.my/ for more information).
Among the locations where fans can enjoy big-screen viewings are the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur; Padang Kota in George Town, Penang; and Dataran Mara, Kota Bharu, Kelantan. — BERNAMA