KUALA LUMPUR — Harimau Malaya must secure a win, while arch-rivals Singapore need only a draw to advance to the semifinals of the ongoing Asean Cup when they face off in a crucial Group A match at Bukit Jalil National Stadium tomorrow.
Malaysia, which last won the biennial football tournament in 2010, currently sits fourth in Group A with four points, while Singapore sits second with six points, three points behind group leaders Thailand.
The match, often referred to as the Causeway Derby, will be the 68th encounter between the two sides since 1958, with Harimau Malaya having won 31 of these matchups.
Malaysia’s most recent victory came under the guidance of former head coach Kim Pan-gon, when they defeated Singapore 4-1 in the 2022 Asean Cup group stage.
Singapore captain Hariss Harun, who has made 135 appearances for his country, stated that despite having a mathematical advantage in the group, he does not want to take the match lightly.
The former JDT legend is determined to step onto the pitch to avenge his side’s defeat in their previous encounter.
“Our team is young and new, and I have played alongside several players since making my debut in the national team in 2007. Since then, I’ve faced Malaysia several times, and I know how important this fixture is for our country. I want the younger players in our team to understand the seriousness of the game and not take it lightly.
“Of course, they will have the home advantage playing at Bukit Jalil, but that doesn’t mean we are inferior. We have full trust in our abilities.
“For me, it’s more than that – I want to avenge the defeat and do better than our previous encounter. We will step onto the pitch with a winning mentality tomorrow,” said Hariss during a pre-match conference at Bukit Jalil National Stadium today.
At the same time, Singapore head coach Tsutomu Ogura voiced concerns over the fitness of several players still recovering ahead of the match against Malaysia, particularly due to the demanding schedule of back-to-back fixtures.
“I’m a little worried about my players’ fitness levels, such as Shawal Anuar, and their ability to recover, as many of them are still not fully fit due to the hectic tournament schedule, having played against Cambodia, Timor Leste, and Thailand.
“Malaysia has a better advantage than us, as they have more time to rest, and their players are fresher. The team is a bit down after the 4-2 defeat to Thailand, but it’s not their fault – I made the tactical decisions. I will ensure there are no tactical errors against Malaysia tomorrow,” said Ogura.
Looking ahead to the do-or-die clash against Singapore, Malaysia’s outgoing head coach Pau Marti Vicente said that his charge must give everything from their tanks to secure a win and ensure their qualification to the semifinals.
“We have to make use of everything that we have, and I’m expecting all my players to show up against Singapore tomorrow. It’s a derby match, and we know how important a win can be for the fans who will be coming to the stadium to watch the boys play.
“I’m not concerned about the previous result against them two years ago. Now, we must move forward and focus on how we can overcome them with the support of our home fans,” said Pau Marti.
According to the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM), a total of 10,210 match tickets have been sold so far for the Causeway Derby.
It has also been reported that the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) is providing free bus rides from Jalan Besar (Singapore) at 11 am tomorrow for between 1,000 to 2,000 Lions fans to attend the match at Bukit Jalil National Stadium. – December 19, 2024