KUALA LUMPUR — Former national footballer Reduan Abdullah is confident that Harimau Malaya are capable of winning the 2023 Merdeka Tournament, based on the team’s improved performances of late.
Reduan, who played for Selangor XI in a friendly against Argentina giants Boca Juniors at the Merdeka Stadium in 1982 with the late Datuk Mokhtar Dahari, believes that head coach Kim Pan Gon’s squad should have the upper hand over India when the two teams meet on October 13.
“I see that there has been a vast improvement in our style of play, although the game against India won’t be a walk in the park,” he said.
He told reporters this after the 2023 Merdeka Tournament Unity charity match between Harimau Malaya legends and Sportswriters Association of Malaysia (SAM) at the Kuala Lumpur Football Stadium in Cheras yesterday that ended 2-2.
While Malaysia take on India, Palestine will face Tajikistan on the same day, with the final and third-placing matches on October 17.
Meanwhile, former Melaka United acting head coach for the 2022 season Mohd Asri Ninggal praised the national team for showcasing an improved performance.
“In terms of world ranking, the Harimau Malaya have already moved up. I think their match against India will be 50-50, but it will be a good exposure for our team in their preparation for the Asian Cup Finals in Qatar next January,” he said. — October 8, 2023