33 TAHUN LALU: Kejuaraan Harimau Malaya di Pestabola Merdeka 1993

33 tahun lalu, Harimau Malaya berjaya mara ke pusingan akhir Pestabola Merdeka buat kali pertama sejak 1986 di bawah kendalian ketua jurulatih Ken Worden. 

Pada zaman 1980-90an, Pestabola Merdeka bukan sahaja menarik minat negara-negara Asia tetapi juga pasukan dari Eropah, Afrika dan Amerika Selatan.

Malaysia menamatkan peringkat kumpulan di tempat kedua setelah menang menentang Singapura dan seri dengan Thailand dan CSKA Sofia.

Menantikan mereka di perlawanan separuh akhir ialah FC Aarau dari Switzerland, yang menduduki tempat teratas dalam Kumpulan B, yang dilengkapi dengan Korea Selatan, Ghana dan Indonesia.

Pada malam perlawanan, hujan yang menyebabkan padang licin seolah-olah memihak kepada pasukan Malaysia kerana FC Aarau tidak biasa bermain dalam keadaan basah. Pasukan kebangsaan menjaringkan dua gol pada minit ke-20 dan ke-59 melalui Mubin Mokhtar dan Azman Adnan. Pasukan lawan menjaringkan gol pada minit ke-69, tetapi malangnya, ia tidak cukup dan Malaysia telah menempah tempat di perlawanan akhir kejohanan.

Pusingan akhir menyaksikan Harimau Malaya menentang musuh tradisi Korea Selatan, yang menewaskan CSKA Sofia 1-0 dalam perlawanan separuh akhir.

Penonton di Stadium Merdeka disaji pertarungan yang mendebarkan, bermula dengan gol awal daripada Dollah Salleh pada minit ketiga. Walaupun ia memberikan Malaysia momentum dan keyakinan, Korea Selatan menyamakan kedudukan pada separuh masa kedua melalui Roh Sang-rae.

Selepas 90 minit, kedua-dua pasukan terikat 1-1. Dengan tekanan yang semakin meningkat, Azman Adnan muncul sebagai wira Malaysia, menjaringkan dua gol dalam masa tambahan. Malaysia menang 3-1. Semasa temu bual selepas perlawanan, Azman mengakui bahawa jaringan gol beliau pada perlawanan separuh akhir telah meningkatkan keyakinannya untuk terus cuba menyerang ke arah pintu gol lawan. Pasukan Korea Selatan turut memuji persembahannya. 

Malaysia sekali lagi dinobatkan juara Pestabola Merdeka selepas tujuh tahun.

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33 years ago, Harimau Malaya reached the final round of the Merdeka Tournament for the first time since 1986 under the guidance of coach Ken Worden. By the 1980s and 1990s, the Merdeka Tournament did not only entice Asian countries but also teams from Europe, Africa and South America.

Malaysia finished the group stage in second place after they won against Singapore and drew with Thailand and CSKA Sofia.

Awaiting them at the semi-finals were FC Aarau from Switzerland, who topped Group B’s leaderboard, completed with South Korea, Ghana and Indonesia. 

It was a rainy night and the slippery pitch seemed to work in Malaysia’s favour as FC Aarau were not used to playing in such conditions. The national team landed two goals in the 20th and 59th minute through Mubin Mokhtar and Azman Adnan. Their opponents managed to score in the 69th minute, but alas, it was not enough as Malaysia secured a place in the finals. 

The final round witnessed Harimau Malaya taking on longtime rivals South Korea, who defeated CSKA Sofia 1-0 in their semi-final match. 

Spectators at Stadium Merdeka were treated to a thrilling battle starting with an early goal from Dollah Salleh in the third minute. While it gave Malaysia momentum and confidence, South Korea equalised in the second half through Roh Sang-rae. 

After 90 minutes, the teams were tied at 1-1. With pressure mounting, Azman Adnan emerged as Malaysia’s hero, scoring twice in extra time. Malaysia won 3-1. During the post-match interview, Azman admitted that scoring in the semi-finals had boosted his confidence to attempt for as many goals as possible. South Korea also spoke highly of his performance. 

Malaysia were once again Merdeka Tournament champions after seven years.