FAM announced the Harimau Malaya squad to face the challenge in Qatar
The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) today announced the final list of 26 players in the Harimau Malaya squad coached by Kim Pan Gon who will play in the 2023 Asian Cup in Doha, Qatar from Jan 12 to Feb 10. - File photo/Astro Stadium
KUALA LUMPUR: The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) today announced the final list of 26 players for the Harimau Malaya squad coached by Kim Pan Gon who will play in the 2023 Asian Cup in Doha, Qatar from Jan 12 to Feb 10.
All 26 players were called to the national squad's central training camp at Wisma Persatuan Bolasepak Malaysia (FAM) since Dec 26, thus witnessing Pan Gon not making any changes ahead of the prestigious tournament.
Of the 26 players brought in, three are goalkeepers, nine defenders, six midfielders and eight forwards including the latest naturalized player Romel Morales.
Malaysia, a team ranked 130th in the world, was drawn in Group E with Jordan (87th), Bahrain (86th) and two-time champions South Korea, which is ranked 23rd in the world.
Malaysia, who ended their 42-year wait to qualify for the Asian Cup on merit, will begin the group stage against Jordan at the Al Janoub Stadium on Jan 15 (1.30am on Jan 16 Malaysian time), Bahrain at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium (Jan 20) and the final action against Korea South at Al Janoub Stadium on Jan 25.
Only the champion and runner-up of each group along with the four best third place teams will qualify for the round of 16.
This is Malaysia's fourth time participating in the Asian Cup after qualifying on merit in the 1976 edition in Iran and 1980 in Kuwait as well as when co-hosting in 2007.
As a warm-up act, Pan Gon's men who arrived in Doha as early as Jan 1 are scheduled to meet Syira in an international friendly match there on Jan 8.
The following is the final list of 26 players in the Harimau Malaya squad for the 2023 Asian Cup in Doha, Qatar from Jan 12 to Feb 10:
