Peter and Zainal expect new version of Harimau Malaya after battle with Asia's big boys

The Star

23-06-2025

PETALING JAYA: Harimau Malaya are ready to roar louder on the Asian stage.
Malaysia will test their mettle against some of the continent's football heavyweights when they compete in the Central Asia Football Association (CAFA) Nations Cup in September – a prestigious tournament featuring eight teams from the region, including 2026 World Cup-bound Iran and Uzbekistan.
Apart from Iran (world No. 18) and Uzbekistan (No. 57), the tournament features Oman (No. 77), Kyrgyzstan (No. 103), Tajikistan (No. 104), and Afghanistan (No. 160).
Led by head coach Peter Cklamovski, Malaysia, ranked 131st in the world, will go head-to-head with five teams ranked ahead of them, which will be a perfect test for the new-look Malaysia team, heavily depended on the mixed heritage players.
The tournament draw has yet to be made, but it's clear that the road ahead will be steep, and much tougher than Malaysia's recent 4-0 rout of Vietnam in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers.
Despite concerns that Harimau Malaya might be outmatched, Cklamovski is embracing the challenge.
For him, this tournament is not just about results, it's about evolution.
'We're proud to be participating in the CAFA tournament,' said the Australian coach.
'We'll face tough challenges in difficult environments, but these experiences will test us in ways that are crucial for the growth of this team, both on and off the field.'
He sees the tournament as another crucial step in Malaysia's footballing journey, one that will sharpen the squad ahead of bigger tests and, perhaps, bring the nation closer to realising its footballing ambitions.
'This is another opportunity for Harimau Malaya to make the nation proud, excite the fans, and continue building the unity that Malaysian football represents,' he added.
National icon and Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) executive committee member, Datuk Zainal Abidin Hassan, welcomed the announcement with enthusiasm, calling it a landmark moment for Malaysian football.
'I'm absolutely thrilled. It's clear that Malaysian football is starting to gain serious attention on the international stage,' he said.
'In my view, this is the most prestigious tournament we've been part of in recent years. Our players will be tested in high-quality matches, and I believe they have the talent and hunger to rise to the occasion.'
'We will gain so much from this experience, tactically, mentally, and physically. Facing top-ranked nations will only accelerate our growth. I truly believe that after this tournament, we'll see a new, improved version of Harimau Malaya. That's exactly the kind of progress we want.'
Under Cklamovski, Malaysia have seen steady improvement, bolstered by a high-performance environment and the addition of quality mixed heritage players who have raised the team's technical ceiling.
In defence, Facundo Garces, who plies his trade in Spain's La Liga with Alaves, has brought aggression and composure. Hector Hevel adds calm control in midfield, while Joao Figueiredo provides endless energy and movement in the final third.
Up front, Rodrigo Holgado brings a killer instinct in the box, and local sensation Arif Aiman Hanapi continues to dazzle with his pace and trickery on the wings.
With this blend of international flair and homegrown brilliance, Malaysia have the tools to push some of Asia's best.
More importantly, participation in the Nations Cup offers a platform to raise the national team's profile and the value of its players.
The tournament will also serve as ideal preparation before Malaysia resume their 2027 Asian Cup third-round qualifiers against Laos in October.
For Harimau Malaya, this isn't just a test, it's a chance to prove they belong on a bigger stage.