RTM to Air Live Harimau Malaya FIFA ASEAN Cup Matches, Confirms PM Anwar

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 24 – Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) will broadcast live matches featuring the Harimau Malaya national football team during the inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup Division 1 tournament in Jakarta, Indonesia, starting with their Group A opening clash against Bangladesh tomorrow.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced the broadcast details in a Facebook post on Thursday in response to widespread inquiries from local football fans regarding televised coverage of the national squad’s campaign.

Anwar called on all Malaysians to unite and rally behind the national team, which is currently under the guidance of interim head coach Tan Cheng Hoe.

“Alhamdulillah, I would like to share some good news. RTM will broadcast Harimau Malaya matches live, starting with the match against Bangladesh tomorrow. Let us give our full support to the national team,” Anwar said.

According to the official tournament schedule released by FIFA, world number 136 Malaysia will kick off their campaign against 181st-ranked Bangladesh at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta at 5:00 PM Malaysian time (4:00 PM local time) on Friday.

Malaysia has been placed in Group A alongside host nation Indonesia, Singapore, and Bangladesh. Meanwhile, Group B features Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, and Pakistan.

Following the opening match against Bangladesh, Harimau Malaya will face 118th-ranked Indonesia at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium on September 28. The national team will then conclude their Group A fixtures against 148th-ranked Singapore at Si Jalak Harupat Stadium in Bandung on October 1.

Under the tournament format, the top team from Group A will meet the winner of Group B in the final at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium on the evening of October 5. The runners-up from both groups will contend for third place at the same venue earlier that day.

–NMT