LOCAL fans have the opportunity to come together and support the Harimau Malaya squad during their 2023 Asia Cup campaign in Doha, Qatar, from January 12 to February 10, thanks to the Youth and Sports Ministry’s initiative to broadcast all matches live on big screens at Bukit Jalil National Stadium.

Minister Hannah Yeoh sees this as a show of support for the team and encourages fans to attend the matches against Jordan on January 15 (1:30am, January 16, Malaysian time) at Al Janoub Stadium, Bahrain on January 20 at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium, and the two-time champion, South Korea, at Al Janoub Stadium on January 25.

“We will open National Stadium to all Harimau Malaya fans, so make sure you show up and support them,” she said in a video clip shared with local media today.

She said the team’s success in qualifying based on merit after 42 years was an achievement all Malaysians were proud of, and reminded the team to do their best when they played their matches.

“I also congratulate the FAM (Football Association of Malaysia) and head coach Kim Pan Gon on their efforts in helping the Harimau Malaya team in qualifying,” she added.

This is the fourth time Malaysia has competed in the Asian Cup finals after qualifying on merit in 1976 in Iran and 1980 in Kuwait, and also as joint-host in 2007.

Get the latest news and information on the 2023 Asian Cup at asiancup.bernama.com. – Bernama, January 5, 2024.