KUALA LUMPUR: New national coach Kim Pan Gon described Malaysia's draw in the 2023 Asian Cup qualifiers as not fantastic but hopes Harimau Malaya will roar fiercely in their backyard.
In the virtual draw ceremony yesterday, hosts Malaysia were placed in Group E with world No 89 Bahrain, Turkmenistan and Bangladesh.
Malaysia will host Group E at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil on June 8-14.
Pan Gon's side will open their campaign against world No 134 Turkmenistan on June 8, followed by Bahrain (June 11) and world No 186 Bangladesh (June 4).
The South Korean said world No 154 Malaysia must target seven points to have any chance of qualifying for the Asian Cup in China.
"Bahrain will probably be the strongest team in the group," he said today.
"I think our opening game against Turkmenistan is the most crucial for us. We have to earn points from this game.
"Of course, we have to beat Bangladesh in our final game. We hope to earn seven points from the group."
Ahead of the qualifiers, Malaysia will play friendly matches against the Philippines and Singapore in March.
The six group winners and five best second-placed teams will join hosts China, Australia, Iran, Iraq, Japan, Korea Republic, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Vietnam and the United Arab Emirates and Vietnam in the Asian Cup next year.
KW: football, Asian Cup, Harimau Malaya, Asian Cup