KUALA LUMPUR: With their venerated countryman Kim Pan Gon coaching Malaysia, South Korea fans will see Malaysia as their "second team" in the Asian Cup in Doha, Qatar from Jan 12-Feb 10.
Korean football writer Lee Sung Mo said his country's football fans are appreciative of Pan Gon's services to their country when he was Korea FA's (KFA) vice president from 2017-2022.
"I believe that most Korean fans will wish that after South Korea, Malaysia will finish second in their group and progress to the round of 16.
"They will support Malaysia because of Pan Gon."
Harimau Malaya will play Jordan on Jan 15, Bahrain on Jan 20 and South Korea on Jan 25.
"Koreans have labelled the South Korea-Malaysia match as the 'must watch' game of Group E.
"As he (Pan Gon) is a well respected football figure in South Korea, the fans will accord him a warm welcome when the two teams meet on the pitch," said Sung Mo.
He said Pan Gon also played a part in appointing Portuguese Paulo Bento as South Korea coach in 2018. Bento coached South Korea for the 2019 Asian Cup and 2022 World Cup.
"Many Korean fans still respect Pang Gon even after he had left KFA."