Harimau Malaya – Kelayakan Piala Dunia 1986 (Bahagian 7)
Zon Asia Kumpulan 3A
10 Mac – 19 Mei 1985
“Sejak saya bermain untuk skuad kebangsaan, pasukan Malaysia belum pernah menang sekali pun di Korea. Bermula dengan dua perlawanan dalam tahun 1973, keputusan terbaik adalah seri 4-4 dalam kejohanan Piala Presiden Park dalam tahun 1976.” – Mokhtar Dahari menjelaskan hal tersebut melalui tulisan di ruangannya dalam akhbar tempatan.
Malaysia dan Korea Selatan akan berentap di perlawanan terakhir peringkat Kumpulan 3A pada 19 Mei.
“Berdasarkan tahap Korea bermain dalam perlawanan pertama di Stadium Merdeka, saya yakin Malaysia berpeluang untuk melayakkan diri. Sudah pasti pasukan Korea berada dalam tekanan kerana keputusan seri sudah cukup bagi kita”, sambung Mokhtar lagi.
Penyerang berbisa ini akan sekali lagi menyarung jersi Malaysia setelah bersetuju untuk keluar daripada persaraan dan membantu pasukan negara menentang Korea Selatan. Tahap kecergasaan yang tinggi dan prestasi yang baik dalam Piala Malaysia – menjaringkan 12 gol daripada 17 – memberi keyakinan kepada beliau untuk kembali ke peringkat antarabangsa.
Jurulatih Mohamad Bakar menegaskan kepada pemberita dari Korea Selatan sejurus tiba di lapangan terbang Kimpo bahawa pasukan Malaysia akan bermain habis-habisan untuk kemenangan walaupun keputusan seri sudah memadai.
Sejak kekalahan 1-0 dalam perlawanan pertama kepada Malaysia pada 10 Mac, pasukan Korea Selatan juga telah mengambil beberapa langkah untuk membaiki keadaan. Mereka telah mengganti pengurus dan jurulatih. Kombinasi pengurus-jurulatih baharu, Kim Jong Nam dan Kim Ho Kon, telah mengambil pendekatan yang agresif. Mereka akan meletakkan dua penyerang tengah utama untuk perlawanan penting ini.
Cho Young Jeung yang pernah menjadi anggota pasukan Allstar, North American Soccer League (NASL) akan berganding bahu dengan pemain tinggi lampai (1.85m) Choi Soon Ho untuk menggempur benteng pasukan Malaysia. Soon Ho pula merupakan penjaring gol terbanyak di liga tempatan dengan 14 gol untuk kelabnya, Pohang.
Walau bagaimanapun, pengurus pasukan Korea Selatan tetap risau akan nasib malang pasukan tersebut setiap kali bertemu Malaysia dalam perlawanan besar. Sudah dua kali Korea Selatan hampir melayakkan diri ke Sukan Olimpik tetapi dikecewakan oleh pasukan Malaysia. Pertama adalah pada tahun 1971, apabila mereka tewas 0-1 di Seoul. Ledakan gol Syed Ahmad membolehkan Malaysia ke Sukan Olimpik Munich ’72. Sekali lagi pada tahun 1980, mereka gagal ke Sukan Olimpik Moscow apabila tewas 1-2. Gol-gol Malaysia dijaringkan oleh Bakri Ibni dan James Wong.
Bagaimana pula nasib Korea Selatan kali ini…?
(Kredit foto: AllSports & Bolasepak)
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Harimau Malaya – 1986 World Cup Qualification (Part 7)
Asia Zone Group 3A
March 10 – May 19, 1985
“Since I first played for the national squad, Malaysia has never won once in Korea. Starting from the two matches in 1973, our best result was a 4–4 draw at President Park’s Cup in 1976,” Mokhtar Dahari wrote in his column in the local newspaper.
Malaysia and South Korea would then meet in the final match of Group 3A on May 19.
“Based on the level Korea was playing at Merdeka Stadium, I am confident that Malaysia will have a chance to qualify. Of course, the Korean team is under pressure because a draw will be enough for us,” Mokhtar continued.
The venomous striker would once again wear the Malaysian jersey after agreeing to retire to help the national team against South Korea. His fitness levels were high and he gave an impressive performance at the Malaysia Cup, scoring 12 goals out of 17, gave him the confidence to return to the international stage.
Upon their arrival at Gimpo Airport, Coach Mohamad Bakar stressed to South Korean reporters that the Malaysian team will play to win even though a draw is enough.
Since their 1–0 defeat to Malaysia in the first match on March 10, South Korea has also taken steps to improve their game. They replaced the team manager and coach. The newly formed combination of Kim John Nam and Kim Ho Kon gifted a new aggressive approach. They chose to bring in two main central strikers for the upcoming match.
Cho Young Jeung, who was once a member of AllStar in the North American Soccer League (NASL), was teamed up with formidable tall player Choi Soon Ho (at 1.85m) to break Malaysia’s defence. Soon Ho was the top scorer in the local league with 14 goals for his club, Pohang.
South Korea’s team manager was still worried about the team’s misfortunes that would land them every time they meet Malaysia for a major match. South Korea had almost qualified for the Olympics twice but were left with an upset every time they met Malaysia. Firstly in 1971, where they lost 0–1 in Seoul. Syed Ahmad’s goals of fury led Malaysia to reach the 1972 Munich Olympic Games. In 1980, they failed to reach the Moscow Olympic Games after losing 1–2. Malaysia’s goals were scored by Bakri Ibni and James Wong.
What will be South Korea’s fate this time?
(Photo credit: AllSports & Bolasepak)
