Harimau Malaya vs China is back on the calendar. Malaysia’s national team takes on China this Saturday, 14 November, at the Zhaoqing New District Sports Centre in Guangdong, before facing Yemen at the same venue on 17 November. For fans, it is a chance to see a refreshed squad test itself against higher-ranked opposition, and for the team, a chance to collect valuable FIFA ranking points.
Here are five things to know before Harimau Malaya vs China kicks off.
Harimau Malaya vs China: The Big Picture
Both matches are Tier 1 international friendlies, which means they count towards the FIFA world rankings. According to Bernama, the Chinese Football Association confirmed the fixtures to the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) in October. FAM said the matches are part of the national team’s preparations “to gain international-level competitive exposure”.
1. A Chance to Climb the FIFA Rankings
On paper, Harimau Malaya vs China is a tough assignment. At the time the fixtures were confirmed, China were ranked 96th in the world, Malaysia 133rd and Yemen 144th. FAM president Datuk Ab Ghani Hassan has said the friendlies matter for ranking points, which could help Malaysia earn a better seeding pot for the 2030 FIFA World Cup and 2032 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers. A positive result against a side ranked 37 places higher would carry real weight.
2. Riding the Momentum From the FIFA ASEAN Cup
Malaysia arrive in good spirits. At the first-ever FIFA ASEAN Cup in Indonesia from 25 September to 5 October, Harimau Malaya finished third without losing a match. They beat Bangladesh 3-0, drew 0-0 with hosts Indonesia, thrashed Singapore 6-0 and edged Vietnam 1-0, scoring 10 goals and conceding none, as reported by RTM.
Terengganu defender Muhammad Ubaidullah Shamsul Fazili told reporters at KLIA that the ASEAN Cup run has motivated the players to keep pushing forward, and that the squad’s chemistry is already in place because most have been in national camps before.
3. A Reshaped Squad With New Faces
Interim head coach Tan Cheng Hoe named 24 players on 3 November, and for the first time in years the list included no Johor Darul Ta’zim players, according to The Star. The squad blends home-based talent from Selangor, Terengganu, Kuching City and Kuala Lumpur City with overseas-based players such as Dion Cools of Cerezo Osaka, Daniel Ting of Ratchaburi and Richard Chin of Ross County.
Terengganu midfielder Ahmad Haziq Kutty Abba earned his first call-up, giving fans a fresh name to watch.
4. Late Changes, but a Positive Mindset
Preparations have not been entirely smooth. Six Selangor players withdrew with injuries after their club’s FA Cup semi-final, leaving Quentin Cheng as the only Selangor player to report. In came Suhaimi Husin and Safwan Mazlan of Terengganu, Dominic Tan of Sabah, Syafiq Ahmad of Kuala Lumpur City and Ariff Farhan Md Isa of Kuching City, who has just helped his club reach a historic FA Cup final.
Tan Cheng Hoe was unfazed. “We had anticipated the possibility of injuries, but as a coach, I remain positive,” he told The Star. The changes also open the door for players who have been waiting for their chance in the national shirt.
5. History Says It Will Be Close
Recent Harimau Malaya vs China meetings have not gone Malaysia’s way: Malaysia have not beaten China in the last five meetings since 2004, with three defeats and two draws. The most recent encounter, a friendly in 2023, ended 1-1, showing that the gap can be bridged on the day. Malaysia have also beaten Yemen three times in past meetings, which adds interest to the second match on 17 November.
What Fans Can Look Forward To
These two matches are more than warm-ups. They offer a look at the next wave of national players, a measure of how far the team has come since the ASEAN Cup, and a practical step towards better seeding for the next World Cup and Asian Cup qualifying campaigns. Whatever the Harimau Malaya vs China scoreline in Zhaoqing, the trip gives Tan Cheng Hoe valuable information about players who could form the core of Harimau Malaya in the years ahead.
Malaysian fans can follow squad news, results and updates on the Football Association of Malaysia official website.
