Harimau Malaya will continue their K-pop rhythm as South Korean coach Kim Pan Gon has agreed to a contract extension with FAM until 2025.
FAM president Datuk Hamidin Amin confirmed yesterday that Pan Gon will sign a new two-year contract as Malaysia head coach.
Pan Gon's decision to stay will be welcomed by FAM who wants to keep the national team's momentum with a smooth continuation in coaching.
FAM is looking to Pan Gon to take Malaysia to the third round of the World Cup qualifiers which will feature 18 Asian teams.
"This will be a challenge to Pan Gon to prove that he has something special to continue coaching Malaysia. His contract is until 2025," said Hamidin.
"We selected Pan Gon because he is knowledgeable and hardworking."
Pan Gon, 54, replaced Tan Cheng Hoe as national head coach in January last year, and was given a two-year contract with an option to extend if there is progress.
And FAM has been happy with the Korean's work. Under Pan Gon, Harimau Malaya achieved their highest world ranking in the last 18 years.
Malaysia were ranked a commendable world No. 134 before dropping to the current 137th following a 2-0 loss to Tajikistan in the Merdeka Tournament final last month.
Under Pan Gon, a former Korea FA vice president, Harimau Malaya proved that they have what it takes to challenge formidable Asian nations by holding world No. 92 Syria 2-2 and world No. 79 China 1-1 in international friendlies in Chengdu, China, in September.
Malaysia also upstaged world No. 102 India in the Merdeka Tournament semi-finals recently.
Pan Gon has recorded a 68 percent success rate as the national team posted an impressive 17 wins, two draws and six losses in the past 21 months.