Pan-gon’s worried in Muscat, but will bank on players’ unity and patience to prevail

Looking serious: Dion Cools (front) warming up with teammates.

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia are the only team ranked outside the top 100 who are perched on top of their 2026 World Cup qualifying group but coach Kim Pan-gon is under no illusion of what is in store for them in Oman tonight (tomorrow 2am Malaysian time).

The Harimau Malaya take on world No. 80 Oman in a tough Group D encounter with Pan-gon’s side hoping to reach the third round of the competition for the first time at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex in Muscat.