Malaysia have shown how eager they are to return to international competition since 2019 by smashing all the teams in Group B of the Asia Cup in Jakarta.
And today, Arul Selvaraj's team will begin their quest for a maiden Asia Cup title by playing an experienced South Korean side whom they edged 5-4 in the group stage.
South Korea are the Asia Cup power with four titles in 1994, 1999, 2009 and 2013 while the best Malaysia could muster is a silver medal in the last edition.
The Speedy Tigers missed the Asian Champions Trophy last December after Faizal Saari was hit by Covid-19, and will also miss the Commonwealth Games next.
With the Hangzhou Asian Games in September postponed to next year, Malaysia have only the Azlan Shah Cup in November to prepare before they play in the Bhubaneswar-Rourkela World Cup in India on Jan 13–29.
"We have reached one target, and will go for the next which is winning the gold medal.
"The players have shown great determination in the group stages and want to start the Super Four with another win against South Korea.
"I have given full mandate to the players to plan and execute, since I started coaching them (in 2020).
"Homework was regularly given to them and after three days, they came back to me and laid out their plans to beat opponents.
"This has made them better thinking players. On that note, I believe we will achieve our second target in Jakarta as well," said Arul.
The GBK Stadium in Jakarta holds sad memories for Malaysia as it was there that they missed the Tokyo Olympics by 17 seconds to Japan in the Asian Games final (which acted as a qualifier).
But it looks like the GBK can be a happy hunting ground for Malaysia this time.
FIXTURES
TODAY
Super Four: Malaysia v South Korea (5pm), India v Japan (7.30pm)
Fifth-eighth placing: Pakistan v Oman (2.30pm)
TOMORROW
Super Four: Japan v South Korea (5pm), Malaysia v India (7.30pm)
Fifth-eighth placing:
Bangladesh v Indonesia (2.30pm)
* Matches played in Malaysian time