KUALA LUMPUR – Former Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) president Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim lambasted fans who questioned the performance of several Harimau Malaya players in the 4-3 victory against Kyrgyzstan on Thursday.
His response comes as several fans via social media criticised the performance of several players who played in the opening second-round game of the 2026 World Cup/ 2027 Asia Cup qualifiers, while seemingly pitting them against each other.
The Johor Crown Prince, also known as TMJ, called on fans to be grateful for the victory and stop trying to place national players and supporters against each other.
“We have won (the game against Kyrgyzstan), just be grateful. Somehow you still want to make noise, blame other parties and try to bring down the spirit of our national players.
“All players have given their all, the result is also good. Do you want to be a coach and work in the football industry? Have you won anything? Just support the team and shut up,” he said in a comment left on a post on ekorharimaumalaya’s Instagram account.
In the game played at Bukit Jalil National Stadium, Malaysia took an early lead against Kyrgyzstan in the seventh minute through Dion Cools.
The visitors then took the lead with two quick goals before halftime, before extending the lead with another goal for the scoreline to read 3-1.
Malaysia, however, started their comeback in the 72nd minute after an own goal by defender Khristiian Brauzman.
Six minutes later, Dion Cools scored his second goal of the night, leveling it at 3-3 before Faisal Halim slotted home the winner in stoppage time.
Malaysia’s next game in the qualifiers is an away fixture against Chinese Taipei on Tuesday. – November 16, 2023