After 39 long years, Harimau Malaya are gearing up to rewrite history by aiming to break the long-standing record of not scoring against South Korea when they face off at the Asian Cup in Doha from Jan 12-Feb 10.
Former national striker Dollah Salleh is the last Malaysian to find the net against the Taeguk Warriors, achieving the feat in a World Cup qualifier at Merdeka Stadium on March 10, 1985.
The 1-0 win, thanks to Dollah, also marked Malaysia's last success over the Koreans in senior football.
Recalling this sweet moment in his career, Dollah revealed that he played through an ankle injury for Malaysia under then-national coach Frank Lord as he was determined to face the mighty Koreans.
The other top Malaysian players in that squad were goalkeeper R. Arumugam, Serbegeth Singh, Lim Teong Kim, Nasir Yusoff, Zainal Abidin Hassan, Ahmad Yusof and Wong Hung Nung.
The Koreans, although without top striker Cha Bum Kun, were still formidable with other superstars, Choi Soon Ho, Huh Jung Moo, Park Chang Sun and Byun Byung Joo, all of whom played in the 1986 World Cup.
"I have scored many goals in my career, but the one against Korea will go down as my most precious," said Dollah.
"We had a good team in the 1980s and could match any top teams in Asia.
"Bum Kun did not play in the qualifier, but they were still a strong team — fast, skillful, and powerful.
"We managed to match them in 1985, and I scored the winner. I had an ankle problem, but I played anyway. It was my first start at Merdeka Stadium.
"Things were different then. The pride of playing for Malaysia was a big thing. We were in a different mindset whenever we wore the national jersey."
As Malaysia's football glory waned, Korea ascended to become one of the world's most respected teams, achieving their best result with a fourth-place finish in the 2002 World Cup.
Harimau Malaya's match on Jan 25 in Doha against world No. 23 Korea, who have yet to become Asian champions since the 1960 edition, will not be an easy one.
Jurgen Klinsmann's side are in Doha to win the Asian Cup and will definitely not show mercy to any opponent.
With aspirations to reach the second round for the first time, the improved world No. 130 Malaysia, showing signs of progress, will go into the Asian Cup with the determination to regain their status as one of the best in the continent.
Kim Pan Gon's side will definitely play with no fear in Doha, but harbouring hopes of beating a Korean side, filled with their top players from Europe, led by captain Son Heung Min, will be too much to ask.
However, nothing is impossible in football, and earning points against Korea will be achievable if the Malaysian team minimise mistakes and play with confidence and spirit.
Dollah said the current Malaysian team must be brave and not be overawed by the occasion when facing top Asian teams, especially Korea, in Doha.
"It is all about giving your everything on the pitch.
"Physically, we were equal to the Koreans in 1985 and had no fear.
"We had good players in all positions.
But Dollah pointed out that the Doha-bound Korean team are established and have many players with European league experience.
"However, Harimau Malaya are a balanced team from defence to attack.
"After the good times in the 1980s, followed by the bad times, it looks like Harimau Malaya are getting back on track.
"Coach Pan Gon has done a fantastic job. His defenders have settled in nicely, and overall, the team have good combination play."
"We also have a formidable forward line with Arif Aiman Hanapi and Faisal Halim doing the damage from the flanks.
"We also have defenders like Matthew Davies and Corbin Ong helping Malaysia's strikeforce with their darting runs.
" I believe the team can do well in the Asian Cup.
"It will be a loss if the team do not use this chance to perform well in Doha. I believe this Harimau Malaya team have narrowed the gap with some of Asia's top teams. It is time to prove a point in Doha."
Dollah reminded the players to have self-belief and confidence in taking on the best teams in Asia,
On whether he hopes to see a Malaysian player break the goal drought against Korea, Dollah said: "I would be the happiest man if it happens in Doha."
Dollah, 64, was a regular with the national team in the mid-1980s and 1990s before becoming a successful coach in the M-League.
The Melaka-born had successful playing stints with Johor, Pahang, Selangor, Melaka and Negri Sembilan.
Dollah was also the national coach from 2014, where Harimau Malaya finished runners-up in the AFF Cup that year, but resigned in late 2015.