As Harimau roar, the rest of Asia better pay attention

New Straits Times

11-06-2025

WHEN a tiger tears apart a Golden Star, it's a sign Malaysian football is roaring back to life.
Peter Cklamovski made an emphatic statement in just his third official game in charge, as a revamped Harimau Malaya thrashed regional powerhouse Vietnam 4-0 in front of more than 60,000 roaring fans at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil on Tuesday.
It wasn't just a win, it was a warning. A bold declaration that Malaysia are back in business.
Not since 2014 had Malaysia beaten Vietnam, and never in such brutal fashion.
The Golden Star Warriors, reigning Asean Cup champions and long-time regional giants, were left shell-shocked.
With this result, Malaysia are virtually assured of a place at the 2027 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia.
But more than qualification, this felt like the start of something special.
There was plenty of scepticism in the lead-up. Questions swirled around the late inclusion of a clutch of newly cleared heritage players, Joao Figueiredo, Rodrigo Holgado, Jon Irazabal, Facundo Garces, and second-half substitute Imanol Machuca, all receiving FIFA clearance just hours before kick-off.
But on the pitch, there was no sign of hesitation. No sign of rust. No sign they'd just arrived. They played like they belonged.
Figueiredo and Holgado didn't just score, they celebrated like born-and-bred Malaysians, pumping fists and pointing to the badge. Their passion was matched by their quality.
At the back, Garces and Irazabal brought much-needed steel and composure, forming a wall Vietnam couldn't breach. Machuca, when introduced, added flair and pace.
The foreign-born contingent didn't just boost the squad, they transformed it.
Yet despite the debutants grabbing headlines, it was Arif Aiman Hanapi who shone brightest. The Johor Darul Ta'zim winger, far from being overshadowed, was the best player on the pitch.
He tore through the Vietnamese defence, created two goals with electric pace and precision, and reminded everyone that local talent can still set the standard.
This was no fluke. Malaysia were aggressive, structured and ruthless. The Tigers didn't just outplay Vietnam, they dominated them.
From the first whistle, they looked hungrier, sharper and far more organised.
Vietnam, usually composed and compact, were reduced to chasing shadows.
Malaysia made them look like minnows.
And the scary part? Harimau Malaya are only just getting started. If Cklamovski keeps this group fit and firing, more teams will fall.
The energy, belief and tactical discipline were all there, and the squad depth has never looked better.
But the Australian tactician should keep his focus tight. His job is to build the team and unify the camp. That includes making friends, not enemies with all stakeholders, including the media.
He's here to evolve Malaysian football, and winning allies off the pitch will be just as vital.
Why would any Malaysian want him and Harimau Malaya to fail?
Tuesday also marked a turning point: nine of Malaysia's starting XI were heritage players.
A first for the nation. A reality some old-school fans might struggle with.
Gone are the days of the traditional "Ali, Ah Chong and Muthu" line-up. Modern football demands new thinking. National identity isn't diluted by diverse roots. It's defined by shared ambition and passion. The badge matters more than birthplace.
If Tuesday proved anything, it's that these players are all-in for Malaysia.
Still, there's a caveat. Heritage or naturalised stars offer a quick fix, but the long game lies in the grassroots.
Development programmes must not be sidelined. Investment in youth academies, school systems and talent scouting is still the backbone of true progress.
Japan offered a masterclass on the same night, fielding an all-local side, not their best squad, to demolish a heritage-laden Indonesia 6-0 in a World Cup qualifier.
That's the gold standard. That's the long-term vision Malaysia must aim for.
But right now? This win matters. This performance matters. It's been a long road of mediocrity and fleeting optimism. This feels different.
Cklamovski has brought structure, belief and modern ideas. And the players — whether born in Johor or Rosario — are buying in.
Malaysia aren't just back, they're dangerous. And as Vietnam found out the hard way, when a tiger has teeth and purpose, even giants fall.
Harimau Malaya roared, and the rest of Asia had better pay attention.