There wasn’t a happy ending for Malaysia in previous editions of the Asian Men’s champions Trophy (ACT) but Malaysian fans can count on newly appointed coach Sarjit Singh’s Speedy Tigers display remarkable skills and determination in this eighth edition which commences in Hulunbuir City, Inner Mongolia, China from 8-17 September.
The Malaysians will begin their challenge against arch rivals Pakistan tomorrow (3.45pm Malaysian time), followed by matches against China (9 Sept), India (11 Sept), Japan (12 Sept) and South Korea (14 Sept). The semifinals will be on 16 Sept and final on 17 Sept.
Four-time champions India, who won the bronze medal at the recent Paris Olympics, is the most successful team in the tournament’s history and remain favourites. Pakistan has won the tournament three times, while South Korea has managed to win the title once. China and Japan are the two other teams competing.
Malaysia claimed bronze medals in five ACT editions but their best performance since the ACT was inaugurated in 2011 was reaching the 2023 final against India. The Indians, however, came back from two goals down to win 4-3 to deny the Malaysians of their maiden victory.
For the record, the Speedy Tigers and the Men in Green Shirts have met times this year. The Pakistanis held the Malaysians to a come-from-behind 3-3 draw in the Olympic qualifier in Muscat, Oman in January, overturned a 1-4 deficit to win 5-4 in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup (SAS Cup) in Ipoh, and drew 4-4 in the Nations Cup in Poland.
With the inclusion of several youngsters and a handful of senior players that included team captain Muhammad Marhan Mohd Jalil, and the Saari siblings – Faizal and Fitri, the newly structured Speedy Tigers squad under Sarjit have been adapting well. The ACT will be the Malaysians third international tournament after the SAS Cup on home turf in May and the Nations Cup in Poland in June.
This followed by a two-week playing tour of Europe with matches against the 2024 Paris Olympic-bound national teams of Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany and the touring Indian team.
“Our preparation for the ACT has been on the right track and we aim to do our best in every match,” said Sarjit, who played in the 1984 and 1992 Summer Olympics.
“The players have acclimatized with the weather and temperature here. The friendly match against South Korea two days ago was meaningful and we are moving along well.”
The opening encounter against Pakistan, said Sarjit, will be an exciting affair. The Speedy Tigers’ journey in the ACT must begin with an energetic performance and on a triumphant note.
“For any team it is always tough and challenging playing in the first match. We need to control our game and play to our strength. There are no easy matches. This is the ACT and all the teams are strong,” he added.
“Every match and tournament are a new chapter. As for us, I believe the players have matured after playing in the SAS Cup and Nations Cup. The tour of Europe with matches against Paris Olympic-bound teams was a real blessing. We faced tough matches. The exposure and experience were so much rewarding. We will take one match at a time in the ACT and move forward,” he said.
He stressed that the Speedy Tigers, like all five other teams in the ACT, are in the stage on developing the team for the bigger challenges ahead – the Asia Cup and 2026 Asian Games.