Despite winning just one of their seven competitive matches in the 2024 international schedule to date, Malaysia have not embarrassed themselves on the international stage during this calendar year, earning draws against Asian powerhouses South Korea and Kyrgyzstan along the way also.
Harimau Malaya managed to qualify for the Asian Cup in January but did not achieve their primary goal of escaping the group stages of the competition in Qatar, where Wednesday's hosts collected just one point from three section matches, finishing behind Bahrain, South Korea and Jordan in Group E.
Following a sobering spell on the tournament stage at the beginning of 2024, Malaysia concluded their quest for progression to the third round of World Cup qualifying with four matches spread across March and June, although even a final-day win over Chinese Taipei was not enough to beat Kyrgyzstan to a top-two spot.
With their chances of competing at the revamped World Cup in the United States over, all focus for the Harimau Malaya will be on preparing for the ASEAN Championship in December, when they will pit their wits against Cambodia, Thailand and Singapore in a competitive-looking Group A.
Currently placed 147th in the FIFA World rankings - their lowest standing by that metric since 2012 - Philippines are going through a difficult spell on the international stage at the moment, as showcased by their inability to win a fixture since a 1-0 success over Kyrgyzstan in October 2023.
The Azkals failed to qualifying for the Asian Cup in Qatar, meaning that they were left twiddling their thumbs in January whilst the majority of the continent enjoyed a festival of football in the Middle East, before Wednesday's visitors endured a woeful end to terrible World Cup qualification campaign.
Two fixtures against Iraq followed by away trips to Vietnam and Indonesia all passed with the collection of any points for the Philippines, who finished bottom of their second-round section, earning one point from six matches, missing out on progression to the next stage by nine points.
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Malaysia Team News
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Philippines Team News
Despite taking part in a wide range of international tournaments since the 1910s, the Azkals are yet to win a competition of note, although they did finish as the 2014 runners-up in the now-defunct AFC Challenge Cup, a tournament that looked to provide Asian's emerging football nations with a chance of picking up silverware.
On Wednesday, September 4, the national teams of Malaysia and the Philippines will face off in a friendly at the National Stadium Bukit Jalil, at 14:00 (UK time). Both teams are looking to prepare for the ASEAN Championship in December, using this match as an important test to fine-tune their formations and strategies.
Malaysia enters the pitch after a mixed bag of results in 2024. The team has only won one of its seven competitive matches this year, although they managed notable draws against Asian powerhouses South Korea and Kyrgyzstan. Qualified for the Asia Cup in January, the Malaysians failed to progress beyond the group stage, finishing behind Bahrain, South Korea, and Jordan in Group E.
The early exit from the Asia Cup was followed by a disappointing campaign in the World Cup qualifiers, where Malaysia could not advance to the third round despite a win over Chinese Taipei in the final match. Now, the team is focusing all efforts on preparing for the ASEAN Championship, where they will face Cambodia, Thailand, and Singapore in Group A.
The Philippines, currently ranked 147th in the FIFA rankings, are going through a tough time on the international stage. They have not won a match since October 2023, when they defeated Kyrgyzstan, and the “Azkals” failed to qualify for the Asia Cup, enduring a dismal campaign in the World Cup qualifiers, finishing at the bottom of their group.
Historically, the Philippines have not claimed significant titles in international football, although they were runners-up in the now-defunct AFC Challenge Cup in 2014. The team hopes to use this friendly as an opportunity to adjust their squad and gain confidence ahead of future competitions.
– Malaysia: Ghani; Davies, Mazlan, Tan, Corbin-Ong; Rasid, Laine, Rashid; Cools, Endrick, Josue.
– Philippines: Hansen; Rublico, Nyholm, Ugelvik, Woods; Ingreso, Baldisimo, Monis, Bailey, Demuynck; Reichelt.
Malaysia will feature an exciting new addition: Wan Kuzain, born in the United States and playing for St. Louis City 2 in MLS NEXT Pro. Also called up for the first time is Mats Deijl, a player for Go Ahead Eagles in the Eredivisie.
The Philippines have Zico Bailey, an attacking midfielder from New Mexico United, and Dylan Demuynck, a player from a second division club in the Netherlands, among the highlights of the squad.
With a better record in 2024 and playing at home, Malaysia should be confident in securing a victory over the Philippines. Just like their last win against Chinese Taipei in June, the “Harimau Malaya” are expected to win this encounter by a two-goal difference, with a predicted score of 2-0.
