Harimau Malaya set to tackle China in two November friendlies
PETALING JAYA: FA of Malaysia (FAM) president Datuk Ab Ghani Hassan has taken an early step toward restoring the national team's competitive edge, confirming that the Harimau Malaya will face China in two international friendlies in Guangzhou this November.
The Malaysian FA president, Datuk Ab Ghani Hassan, has announced that the national team, Harimau Malaya, will face China in two international friendlies in Guangzhou during November. The matches are scheduled for the 14th and 17th of the month, providing a valuable chance for the team to accumulate FIFA ranking points and improve their world ranking.
Ab Ghani stated that this initiative is part of the Football Association of Malaysia's (FAM) overarching plan to achieve a higher ranking, which would grant Malaysia a better seeding position for the upcoming 2030 World Cup and 2032 Asian Cup qualifiers scheduled to commence in the middle of next year. He emphasized that facing stronger opponents from higher-tier international competitions is crucial for providing competitive exposure and boosting their FIFA ranking.
Ab Ghani confirmed that securing a favorable pot relies heavily on their ranking, making friendlies of this significance indispensable. He added that these preparations are essential as they prepare Harimau Malaya for future challenges. The Guangzhou fixtures mean that Harimau Malaya will again play on foreign soil within the FIFA international window in November.
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