KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 14 (Bernama) -- Fourteen years have passed, but the beautiful memories of the Harimau Malaya lifting the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Cup in 2010, now known as the ASEAN Cup, remain etched in the mind of former national defender Mahali Jasuli.
The player who helped lift the trophy in 2010 said that the country's first success at that time created a positive aura for the team, which was then managed by Datuk K. Rajagopal.
“I had waited a long time (to lift the AFF Cup) just like the supporters now; the last time we won was in 2010, and that is a cherished memory for me.
“I hope we can win again; we know that winning the AFF Cup brings a unique aura, and we can see the people unite, showing their spirit by wearing the Malaysia jersey wherever they go,” he told Bernama when met during the ASEAN Cup 2024 Roadshow.
At the same time, he hopes that the national team, currently coached by Pau Marti Vicente, can restore that aura as they embark on the competition starting this December.
“I had played with the national squad for a long time, so I have felt that aura. We reached the final, and you could see the stadium packed with supporters, going to the ‘mamak’ shops. I hope it can happen again if we (the squad) do something,” he said.
Mahali also expressed that the recent withdrawal of support from a segment of the 12th player (the supporters) should not dampen the spirit of the Harimau Malaya in their quest to end the 14-year wait to lift the trophy.
Malaysia emerged as the AFF Cup champions in 2010 after defeating Indonesia in the final with an aggregate score of 4-2.
That success remains the only one for the national squad, with the team finishing as runners-up three times in 1996, 2014, and 2018.
In this edition, Malaysiahave been drawn into Group A along with defending champions Thailand, followed by Singapore, Cambodia, and the winner of the qualifying round between Brunei and Timor-Leste.
Group B features Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines, Myanmar and Laos.
-- BERNAMA
