Revive Harimau Muda or risk falling behind, warns Kim Swee
Kim Swee said the national youth setup — once a breeding ground for SEA Games and AFF Cup-winning talents — must be brought back to stop the Young Tigers from falling further behind their fast-improving Southeast Asian rivals.
The Harimau Muda programme, launched by the FA of Malaysia (FAM) in 2007 and disbanded in 2015, produced back-to-back SEA Games gold medals in 2009 and 2011.
Players from this system also formed the backbone of the Harimau Malaya squad that lifted the AFF Cup in 2010.
"During the Harimau Muda era, our young players were more competitive," said Kim Swee, who led the squad from 2009 to 2014.
"Now their only real platform is the Super League. Even in last season's MFL Cup, how many top young players emerged?
"The youth players in the Super League hardly get any minutes. There's nothing wrong with bringing back Harimau Muda — we've already proven that it works."
Kim Swee said: "Don't underestimate the Philippines, Myanmar, Cambodia or Laos.
"Look at what's happened in the last few years — how many times have we lost to the Philippines?
"I'm not blaming anyone, but we need to ask how these countries have improved so quickly.
"It's time to bring Harimau Muda back. Other countries may not have a similar setup, but they have strong grassroots systems at club level. Do we?
"JDT have the right development structure, and Selangor are trying too. But what about the rest?
"We've already lost to the Philippines. Don't be surprised if Cambodia, Laos — even Brunei — beat us next."
His comments come after the Young Tigers failed to reach the semi-finals of the recent Under-23 Asean Championship, crashing out in the group stage following a 2-0 loss to the Philippines, a 7-1 win over Brunei and a goalless draw with hosts Indonesia.
The early exit has sparked concerns ahead of tougher assignments — the Under-23 Asian Cup qualifiers and the SEA Games later this year.
FAM president Datuk Joehari Ayub said any revival of the Harimau Muda setup would depend on the national body's budget.
Kim Swee, however, stressed that a centralised youth system gives both players and coaches the structure and time needed to build a competitive team.
"When you call up players from different clubs, you only get between two to 10 days with them during FIFA windows — it's just not enough," he said.
"Even if they understand tactics, team chemistry takes time to develop.
"But with a centralised squad like Harimau Muda, we trained together for six months in Slovakia before returning for the SEA Games, and we won.
"We didn't just win — we beat Italy at the World University Games. Imagine that — beating a footballing nation like Italy."
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Revive Harimau Muda or risk falling behind, warns Kim Swee
KUALA LUMPUR: Former national youth coach Ong Kim Swee has urged the authorities to urgently revive the Harimau Muda programme, warning that Malaysia risks being overtaken by the likes of the Philippines, Cambodia and Laos if immediate action isn't taken. Kim Swee said the national youth setup — once a breeding ground for SEA Games and AFF Cup-winning talents — must be brought back to stop the Young Tigers from falling further behind their fast-improving Southeast Asian rivals. The Harimau Muda programme, launched by the FA of Malaysia (FAM) in 2007 and disbanded in 2015, produced back-to-back SEA Games gold medals in 2009 and 2011. Players from this system also formed the backbone of the Harimau Malaya squad that lifted the AFF Cup in 2010. "During the Harimau Muda era, our young players were more competitive," said Kim Swee, who led the squad from 2009 to 2014. "Now their only real platform is the Super League. Even in last season's MFL Cup, how many top young players emerged? "The youth players in the Super League hardly get any minutes. There's nothing wrong with bringing back Harimau Muda — we've already proven that it works." Kim Swee said: "Don't underestimate the Philippines, Myanmar, Cambodia or Laos. "Look at what's happened in the last few years — how many times have we lost to the Philippines? "I'm not blaming anyone, but we need to ask how these countries have improved so quickly. "It's time to bring Harimau Muda back. Other countries may not have a similar setup, but they have strong grassroots systems at club level. Do we? "JDT have the right development structure, and Selangor are trying too. But what about the rest? "We've already lost to the Philippines. Don't be surprised if Cambodia, Laos — even Brunei — beat us next." His comments come after the Young Tigers failed to reach the semi-finals of the recent Under-23 Asean Championship, crashing out in the group stage following a 2-0 loss to the Philippines, a 7-1 win over Brunei and a goalless draw with hosts Indonesia. The early exit has sparked concerns ahead of tougher assignments — the Under-23 Asian Cup qualifiers and the SEA Games later this year. FAM president Datuk Joehari Ayub said any revival of the Harimau Muda setup would depend on the national body's budget. Kim Swee, however, stressed that a centralised youth system gives both players and coaches the structure and time needed to build a competitive team. "When you call up players from different clubs, you only get between two to 10 days with them during FIFA windows — it's just not enough," he said. "Even if they understand tactics, team chemistry takes time to develop. "But with a centralised squad like Harimau Muda, we trained together for six months in Slovakia before returning for the SEA Games, and we won. "We didn't just win — we beat Italy at the World University Games. Imagine that — beating a footballing nation like Italy."
