Dealing with Harimau Malaya’s self-inflicted wound


IN the realm of international football diplomacy, few missteps are as damaging as a last-minute withdrawal from a prestigious tournament - especially when the excuses are flimsy and the consequences far-reaching.

Malaysia’s decision to pull out of the CAFA Nations Cup 2025 tournament is not merely a logistical oversight. It can also be seen as a credibility crisis. A self-inflicted wound that undermines Harimau Malaya’s reputation and raises serious questions about the leadership steering our national team.

The Star Christmas Special Promo: Save 35% OFF Yearly. T&C applies.

Monthly Plan

RM 13.90/month

Best Value

Annual Plan

RM 12.33/month

RM 8.02/month

Billed as RM 96.20 for the 1st year, RM 148 thereafter.

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!

Next In Columnists

Precious pearls of wisdom on bead insertion
What a foot-stomping year
In 2026, stability must become delivery
Tech war endgame
All the world’s a stage
Our 2026 resolution: Spend wisely
Betrayal and power struggle in Perlis
A year of changes – or not
Finding fault is easy, finding winning talent is difficult� �
Answers needed on Johor water

Others Also Read