KUALA LUMPUR: South Korea, Bahrain and Jordan — don't underestimate Harimau Malaya. The Malaysian football team are not in Doha for a holiday.
Based on the rankings of teams in Group E, Malaysia are odds-on to take the first flight out of Doha after their final Asian Cup group match against Son Heung Min-led South Korea on Jan 25.
However, it would be a mistake if their fancied opponents take Malaysia lightly.
The national football team are no longer the punching bag of Asian football and are not cowardly.
They have been making inroads since the appointment of Korean coach Kim Pan Gon in early 2022 as proven by victories over higher-ranked teams.
The current Harimau Malaya may not be as strong as the Malaysian teams of the 1960s and 1970s, but Pan Gon's side definitely have the pedigree and talent to upset the form book in their first appearance in the Asian Cup since the "nightmare" outing in 2007, which the country jointly hosted with other Southeast Asian countries.
No doubt, the FA of Malaysia (FAM) may have taken the easy way out by opening the door for heritage and naturalised players to don the national jersey.
But this should not be viewed negatively as the excitement Harimau Malaya has brought to the fans and the nation over the last two years will spur the nation's football industry to produce more quality local talent in the long run.
The Johor Darul Ta'zim effect should not be discounted as their "dare to dream" policy and foray into Asian club competitions has raised the confidence of their players.
Harimau Malaya have 13 players who are of mixed blood or naturalised, and undoubtedly, they will form the core of the team in Doha.
However, the team also have a good mix of local talents, with Arif Aiman Hanapi and Faisal Halim being the most impressive of late.
Unlike the 2007 team that became a laughing stock for the poor results in the Asian Cup, we can be rest assured that Pan Gon's side will not suffer a similar fate.
What is special about this team is that they will neither suffer from stage fright nor mental block as Pan Gon's players have almost experienced it all, especially the naturalised players, in Asian football.
The team will not troop onto the field during the Asian Cup feeling uneasy.
In fact, they will be confident, brave and hungry, and their opponents had better beware.
If they are not careful, Harimau Malaya may just rip them apart like hungry tigers.
World No. 130 Malaysia are the lowest ranked team in Group E.
Former World Cup semi-finalists South Korea, ranked No. 23, are the group favourites, followed by No. 86 Bahrain and No. 87 Jordan.
Height and physicality have always been a problem for the national team, especially when playing against Middle East teams, who tend to be aggressive and robust.
However, fans might see something different in Doha.
Harimau Malaya now not only have well-built players but most are technically gifted.
More importantly, the team have depth and options in every position.
Bahrain and Jordan offer a big challenge to Malaysia.
The key to reaching the second round is by earning maximum points from both games as Korea could just be too hot to handle in their final game.
In the past, national coaches often said "the ball is round" and "anything can happen in football" just to deflate a sure defeat and promote the feel-good factor before eventually getting bashed by rivals.
This is not the case with Pan Gon's side.
Will Harimau Malaya cause a sanddesert storm in Doha? Fans will have to wait and see how it goes.
However, even if the team come out short, fans and the public should not be critical as just qualifying for the Asian Cup is a sign of progress.
Roar like Tigers and make the country proud, Harimau Malaya.