Futile: Malaysia’s Declan Lambert (right) in action against Kyrgyzstan’s Odilzhon Abdurakhmanov (bottom) and Beknaz Almazbekov during the World Cup 2026 AFC qualifiers in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. — AP
Legend James’ advice could bring out eye of the tiger in Harimau Malaya
PETALING JAYA: If there’s a football legend who can bring out the eye of the tiger in the Harimau Malaya, it’s Datuk James Wong.
The 70-year-old Sabahan is famed for scoring the winning goal in Malaysia’s 2-1 win over South Korea on the dramatic night of April 7, 1980, to seal the team’s spot in the Moscow Olympics that year which the country ended up boycotting as part of a protest against the Soviet Union’s invasion of Afghanistan.
For a great marksman who knows the score when it comes to the big occasion, James has dished out some sound advice for the current Malaysian team ahead of their 2026 World Cup qualifier against Taiwan at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil tomorrow.
Kim Pan-gon’s men are determined to advance to the third round of the qualifiers but have their work cut out.
With just one match remaining, Malaysia are third in Group D with seven points while Kyrgyzstan are second on 10 and Oman are top with 12.
To steal second spot in the group, Malaysia must thrash Taiwan by more than five goals and hope that Kyrgyzstan lose badly to Oman.
The top two teams will move on to the third round of the qualifiers and also qualify for the 2027 Asian Cup.
'We need a miracle, but there's always a chance in football.'
James said the team shouldn’t let themselves be distracted by other factors that can affect their focus on the task as their mission is to get as many goals as they can against Taiwan.
“On the day, the players have to make sure they put their scoring boots on. If they have a chance, even half a chance, they must grab it,’’ he said.
“They just have to do their part and not worry about this and that. Just play like there is no tomorrow. And leave the rest of it to fate.
“If they do that, then regardless of what happens in the other match, our players can walk out with their heads held high.”
With key players such as Faisal Halim and Arif Aiman Hanapi absent from the squad, James added that coach Pan-gon is making the most of what he has, and the players need to dig deeper to prove themselves.
“Pan-gon is doing his best by fielding the players that he thinks can do the job. The players just need to show him that they are ready,’’ added James.
“We could miss the boat to qualify by the smallest margins, but if they play with hunger and passion, that’s noble enough.
“The odds are stacked against us, there’s no lie about that.
“We need a miracle, but there’s always a chance in football.”
