Harimau Malaya di Kelayakan Piala Dunia 1978
Pada tahun 1977, ramai yakin bahawa Malaysia yang dibarisi pemain-pemain hebat akan berjaya melepasi pusingan pertama Kelayakan Piala Dunia 1978 yang diadakan di Singapura pada 1-8 Mac. Namun begitu Harimau Malaya yang menjuarai Pestabola Merdeka dan Piala Raja Thai pada tahun sebelumnya, terlepas peluang apabila hanya mampu mencatat satu kemenangan setelah bergelut dengan Thailand pada perlawanan pertama, dua kali seri dan satu kekalahan.
James Wong merupakan bintang perlawanan Malaysia menentang Thailand pada perlawanan pertama mereka. Beliau bukan sahaja menghasilkan empat gol tetapi telah menjaringkan gol-gol tersebut dalam tempoh masa 45 minit. Pencapaian yang mengagumkan ini pastinya meyakinkan rakyat Malaysia dengan pasukan kebangsaan. Dengan ketiadaan Mokhtar Dahari di kejohanan itu, sudah disebut bahawa James berpotensi sebagai pengganti penyerang legenda tersebut.
Gol pertama Malaysia dijaringkan oleh James Wong pada minit ke-15 sebelum Isa Bakar membuahkan dua gol lagi pada minit ke-17 dan ke-19. Pada separuh masa kedua, James menjaringkan gol ketiga beliau pada minit ke-51 dan satu lagi sembilan minit kemudian. Sementara itu, Thailand berjaya membalas dengan empat gol daripada Jesdaporn dan Widthaya. Malaysia menang 6 – 4.
Perlawanan seterusnya mengejutkan ramai apabila Malaysia hanya seri 0-0 dengan Indonesia. Pada perlawanan tersebut, Indonesia dianggap sebagai pasukan “underdog” kejohanan setelah tewas 4-1 kepada Hong Kong. Mereka juga mencabar barisan pertahanan Malaysia dengan gaya permainan yang lebih agresif.
Malaysia kemudiannya kalah dalam perlawanan penting menentang Singapura melalui gol sepakan penalti daripada Mohammed Noh. Peluang Singapura untuk beraksi di pusingan kedua semakin jelas manakala pasukan kebangsaan makin gementar menunggu perlawanan terakhir mereka menentang pendahulu kumpulan, Hong Kong.
Hong Kong menghasilkan gol pertama pada minit ke-15 dengan jaringan daripada Fung Chi Ming. Bakri Ibni berjaya menjaringkan gol penyamaan 12 minit sebelum perlawanan tamat. Malaysia memerlukan kemenangan dengan sekurang-kurangnya tiga gol untuk mara ke perlawanan “play-off” antara juara dan tempat kedua kumpulan. Malangnya, walaupun mereka bertarung dengan hebat, impian Harimau Malaya untuk bermain di Piala Dunia akhirnya musnah.
Hong Kong berjaya melayakkan diri ke peringkat seterusnya setelah mengalahkan Singapura 1–0 dalam perlawanan “play-off”.
Skuad Harimau Malaya yang beraksi di Singapura: R. Arumugam, Jamal Nasir, Soh Chin Ann, Bakri Ibni, D. Davendran, Yahya Jusoh, Khalid Ali, Santokh Singh, Shukor Salleh, Wan Rashid, Abdullah Ali, Wong Choon Wah, Isa Bakar, James Wong, Reduan Abdullah, Yip Chee Keong
(Kredit foto: Asian Soccer)
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Harimau Malaya at the 1978 World Cup Qualifiers
In 1977, many were confident that Malaysia, lined with impressive players at the time, would successfully advance past the first round of the 1978 World Cup Qualifiers that were held in Singapore from March 1-8. Champions of the Merdeka Tournament and the Thai King’s Cup in the previous year, Malaysia unfortunately lost out on the opportunity after a thrilling win against Thailand, two draws and one defeat.
James Wong was the star of the show when Malaysia went up against the Thais for their first match. Producing four goals not only in a single match but also within 45 minutes was an impressive feat that must have left Malaysians confident in the national team. With Mokhtar Dahari’s absence, it was all the buzz that James had the potential to become the legendary striker’s successor.
Malaysia’s first goal came in the 15th minute through James Wong before Isa Bakar landed two goals in the 17th and 19th minute. In the second half, James produced his third goal in the 51st minute and another nine minutes later. Meanwhile, Thailand managed to retaliate with four goals of their own from Jesdaporn and Widthaya. Malaysia won 6 – 4.
Their next match against Indonesia was a goalless draw that surprised many. Indonesia were considered underdogs after their 4–1 loss to Hong Kong and had the Malaysian defence in trouble by displaying a more aggressive style of play.
Malaysia then suffered a crucial loss 1–0 to Singapore through a penalty by Mohammed Noh. Singapore’s chances of playing in the next round were proving brighter while the national team’s nerves racked as they awaited their final match against the group’s leaders, Hong Kong.
Hong Kong scored an early goal in the 15th minute through Fung Chi Ming before Bakri Ibni equalised 12 minutes before the match ended. Malaysia needed a victory of three goals or more to advance to the play-offs between the group’s first and second placing. Unfortunately, despite fighting ferociously in this final match, Harimau Malaya came up short, leaving their World Cup dreams shattered. Hong Kong advanced to the final round after defeating Singapore 1-0 in the play-offs.
Harimau Malaya squad: R. Arumugam, Jamal Nasir, Soh Chin Ann, Bakri Ibni, D. Davendran, Yahya Jusoh, Khalid Ali, Santokh Singh, Shukor Salleh, Wan Rashid, Abdullah Ali, Wong Choon Wah, Isa Bakar, James Wong, Reduan Abdullah, Yip Chee Keong
