KUALA LUMPUR: Hats off to Harimau Malaya! The 3-3 draw against world No. 23 South Korea will go down as the biggest result in Malaysian football in recent times.
But not so fast. National coach Kim Pan Gon needs to explain what happened in the opening two games.
Facing the Taeguk Warriors, adorned with superstars from top clubs like Tottenham, Bayern Munich, and Paris Saint-Germain, Malaysia were not expected to have a chance.
Yet, the team left the field with heads held high, having embarrassed the mighty Koreans.
Colombia-born Romel Morales, now a national hero, scored deep into stoppage time, levelling the match against Son Heung Min-led Korea.
Earlier, Faisal Halim ended Malaysia's 39-year goal drought against Korea, and Arif Aiman Hanapi also shocked the Koreans with a goal from the penalty spot.
It is definitely a dream come true for many of the Malaysians who watched in envy the Korean team making strides in many World Cup editions and beating teams like Germany.
A point against Korea is also Malaysia's first in the Asian Cup since the 1980 edition, and it is as good as three points against a world-class side.
The first XI on Thursday was the best combination Pan Gon fielded in the competition.
While every Malaysian player gave their all, Brendan Gan, playing his first Asian Cup match, and captain Dion Cools made the biggest difference with their intensity and discipline.
A special mention to Dominic Tan, Daniel Ting, Faisal Halim and Darren Lok, who showed true character.
In the first half, Malaysia were compact, and despite Korea's domination, they only scored once.
The second half saw a transformed Malaysian team, fighting bravely with the Koreans looking disinterested.
Malaysia were close to recording a famous victory when Arif Aiman scored from the penalty spot for a 2-1 lead, only for Lee Kang In to equalise with a free kick seven minutes from time.
Heung Min's penalty seemed to have secured three points for Korea in stoppage time. Yet, substitute MoralesRomales, previously criticised, became the nation's hero with the equaliser, picking up a pass from Paulo Josue and unleashing a low drive, beating Korean keeper Jo Hyeon Woo.
Unfortunately, the point came a bit too late.
Had Harimau Malaya displayed a similar intensity against Jordan and Bahrain, they would be in the round of 16.
Pan Gon and his coaching staff underestimated Jordan (lost 4-0) and were overcautious against Bahrain (lost 1-0) — something which shouldn't happen in a tournament like the Asian Cup.
It goes down to tactical naivety on the coaching team's part, which is puzzling as Pan Gon has a complete set of coaches to analyse every aspect of his players, tactics and opponents.
The reason why Malaysia are not in the last 16 is the coach, not the players.
The inclusion of players like Natxo Insa and Mohamadou Sumareh, lacking regular minutes for their club, Johor Darul Ta'zim, remains a mystery.
The exclusion of forward Syafiq Ahmad, considered Malaysia's most complete No. 9 at the moment, is also puzzling.
Perhaps Pan Gon, like the national players, is learning to become a better coach.
However, let's not forget that Malaysia achieved a personal victory by holding Korea to a draw.
It shows that on a good day, Harimau Malaya can match even the top 30 in the world.
But the question is where do Malaysia go from here.
As for the performance in the Asian Cup among Southeast Asian countries, Malaysia were ranked third behind Thailand and the youthful Indonesia, who both reached the last 16, while Vietnam, without seven regulars, lost all of their matches.
However, one word of advice is start giving minutes to the country's Under-23 players, apart from Arif Aiman.
Indonesia and Vietnam did so in the Asian Cup, and this could benefit them in the Under-23 Asian Cup, which doubles up as an Olympic qualifier, in April.
On the question of naturalised players, it is a tricky subject.
Malaysia have 13 official naturalised players, while Dominic's status is unknown.
As long as Fifa allows it, then Harimau Malaya should continue taking advantage as other countries have been doing it for ages.
But in doing so, the football authorities must not forget about grassroots development.
Dream big, Harimau Malaya, and keep learning.
Don't let critics demotivate you as you pursue bigger goals.