Malaysia is a country that has a lot of sports fans. In this Southeast Asian nation, lovers of all kinds of sports, whether individual or collective, live together. However, like much of the world, Malaysia’s most popular game is soccer, and the national soccer side is the country’s top team. Their nickname is Harimau Malaya, which dates back to the time of British colonization, and they have made significant achievements throughout their history.
Name, Kit and Colors
Harimau Malaya is the best-known nickname for this soccer team. The meaning of its name is related to the country’s national animal, the Malayan tiger. To include Malaysia’s eastern side, the nickname Harimau Malaysia has also been used, although without much success, leading to the change being reversed.
The relationship with tigers is also seen in the kit. Malaysian soccer players wear a yellow outfit, sometimes with black stripes. The team’s shorts are usually black, emulating the skin of a tiger. Secondary uniforms typically include the colors of the national flag, red and blue.
In Which Events Have the Malaysian National Soccer Team Participated? Records And Championships
Compared to European or South American teams, the Malaysian national soccer team’s participation in major tournaments has been low. This is not to say that the team is not successful in its environment, as competitiveness in Asia is very high, and in South East Asia as well.
Harimau Malaya has never taken part in a FIFA World Cup. Their greatest achievement, on a global level, was qualifying for the 1980 Olympic Games. Still, they did not participate because they joined the boycott against the Soviet Union. At the Asian Games, they went on to win a bronze medal in 1974. Concerning the AFC Asian Cup, the Harimau Malaya has only participated on three occasions: 1976, 1980 and 2007. The latter was thanks to hosting the event with other Southeast Asian countries.
It is precisely in the Southeast Asian championships that Malaysia has been the most successful. At the Southeast Asian Games, they have won the gold medal three times. And at the AFF Championship, a competition for ASEAN teams, they were champions in 2010 and have been runners-up three more times.
How Does the Malaysian National Team Stand in the Rankings?
Harimau Malaya is not very well positioned in the FIFA rankings, which include all the teams in the world. Their best ranking was in 1993 when they reached 73rd place. By 2018, they had reached their worst position ever, 178th.
How Do the Malaysians Follow Their Selection?
A lot of Malaysians are big soccer fans. The enthusiasts who most follow and accompany the team in any circumstance are the Ultra Malaya. In general, Malaysia has also become a host country for soccer, organizing events such as the AFF Football Championship in 2004 and 2012, and the AFC Asian Cup in 2007. Soccer is becoming more and more prevalent in Malaysia, with plenty of fans and supporters, and this will have an impact on the national team.