KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 5 – The national football team, playing without the fervent backing of the Ultras Malaya supporters, managed to edge the Philippines 2-1 and advance to the final of the 2024 Merdeka Tournament at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil on Wednesday night.
The semi-final tie, which is Pau Marti Vicente’s first assignment as the new national head coach, saw the Philippines, nicknamed The Azkals, drawing first blood through an own goal by national defender Muhamad Feroz Baharudin in the 27th minute.
However, the Harimau Malaya managed to check into the final courtesy of a clinical finish by midfielder Mohammad Syamer Kutty Abba late in the first half and a penalty conversion by replacement winger Muhammad Safawi Rasid after the break.
In Sunday’s (Sept 8) final, Malaysia will face Lebanon, who defeated defending champions Tajikistan 1-0 in the other semi-final earlier.
For the record, the Ultras Malaya supporters’ group decided last month to boycott this year’s Merdeka Tournament due to dissatisfaction with various aspects, including perceived issues with the management of the national team, the shortcomings within FAM and issues in the Malaysian League competition.
