KUALA LUMPUR: National coach Kim Pan Gon congratulated his players and dedicated Malaysia’s Asian Cup qualification to Harimau Malaya fans.
Malaysia thrashed Bangladesh 4-1 in front of a near-packed National Stadium in Bukit Jalil on Tuesday to qualify for the Asian Cup on merit for the first time since 1980.
It will be Malaysia’s first appearance in Asia’s biggest football competition since the 2007 edition, which they co-hosted with Thialand, Vietnam and Indonesia.
Malaysia finished second in Group E of the qualifier with six points after the Bangladesh win behind champions Bahrain to claim one of the five best second-placed spots.
Pan Gon has now vowed to continue improving Harimau Malaya as they prepare for next year’s edition.
“We have done it. I’m proud of the players, they showed how good they were, they gave their everything.
“We delivered what the fans wanted… the players showed their professionalism and their love for the country,” said Pan Gon in the post press conference on Tuesday.
“When I first arrived here, I made a few demands to improve the national team.
“And FA of Malaysia president Datuk Hamidin Amin granted them. The team improved a lot thanks to his efforts to offer only the best to the players.
“It is a great moment for Malaysian football. I must thank the fans, including the Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob), who came to support us. I also need to thank the M-League teams for giving me undivided support.”
On Tuesday, world no 152 Malaysia scored through Safawi Rasid (penalty, 16th minute), Dion Cools (38th), Syafiq Ahmad (47th) and Darren Lok (73rd).
Bangladesh got their consolation through Mohammad Ibrahim in the 31st minute.-NST