Harimau Malaya To Put Their Skills To The Test Against New Zealand

By Shantini Mogan

KUALA LUMPUR 30 AUGUST:On October 14, North Harbour Stadium in Auckland will host a Tier L international match between Harimau Malaya and New Zealand, which is rated 94th in the world.

The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) acknowledged the news in a statement released today along with the information that the match will take place from October 7 to October 15, 2024, according to the FIFA International Calendar.

“The last time Harimau Malaya met New Zealand was 18 years ago when the squad led by Norizan Bakar lost 0-1 in the first friendly in Christchurch on February 19, 2006 and lost 1-2 in the second friendly in Auckland on Feb 23, 2006,” stated the statement.

FAM stated in the same statement that the national squad,which is presently rated 134th in the world, will have the chance to raise its FIFA ranking points this Wednesday when it plays the Philippines (ranked 147) in the Pestabola Merdeka 2024 opening match at the National Stadium, Bukit Jalil.

In 2024, Harimau Malaya will go to the Pestabola Merdeka final on September 8 and will take on the winner of the match between Tajikistan (ranked 103) and Lebanon (ranked 116), provided the Pau Martis squad defeats the Philippines.

Malaysia will play in third and fourth place on the same day, though, if they lose in the opening round.(Source from Bernama)