Harimau Muda

Last updated
  1. REDIRECT Harimau Muda A

Malaysia U-22
Full nameMalaysia National Elite Football Project
Nickname(s)Malaysia NEFP
Founded2007;18 years ago (2007)
Dissolved2015;10 years ago (2015)

Harimau Muda is a former Malaysia national under-22 football team. The squad was the feeder team for senior national football team, managed by the Football Association of Malaysia. After winning the Premier League in 2009, it was split into Harimau Muda A and Harimau Muda B due to schedule conflicts between league and international matches. Harimau Muda was reinstated in 2015 by combining Harimau Muda A and B back into a single U-22 team with the exception of Harimau Muda C in FAM League. On 25 November 2015, it was confirmed that the Harimau Muda has disbanded by the FAM. [1]

History

The name "Harimau Muda" means "Young Tigers" in Malay.

Premier League (2007)

Harimau Muda was made up of Under-21 players from across Malaysia, mainly chosen from the SSBJ football team and in the President Cup. Harimau Muda first participated in the Premier League Malaysia 2007-08. Harimau Muda's performance did not go as the Football Association of Malaysia expected, with the club finishing 8th in the 2007–08 season.

The FAM considered dissolving the club, but gave Harimau Muda a second chance with more experienced players. Ong Kim Swee led the Harimau Muda team into winning the 2009 Premier League season, losing only 2 matches on the way.

Following the club's split, Harimau Muda was not allowed to be promoted into the Malaysia Super League. The Football Association of Malaysia gave Harimau Muda B a spot in the Malaysia Premier League later on.

Club splitting (2009)

Owing to international duties in 2009, the Malaysia national U-21 team was needed to participate in the 2010 AFC U-19 Championship qualification. They also needed to participate in the 2009 Premier League and the Malaysia FA Cup 2009. This caused a major schedule conflict for the Football Association of Malaysia.

Harimau Muda B continued to participate in the Premier League and the FA Cup with reserve or loaned SSBJ football team players, while the key players were with Harimau Muda A. Harimau Muda B managed to play well in the league with the management of the assistant coach. When Harimau Muda A returned to Malaysia, they combined and won the 2008–09 Premier League.

Comeback (2015)

Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin, former FAM's deputy president, has stated that the Harimau Muda system is no longer relevant, not planned for the long term, and the state football associations should take the responsibility to grow the players. [2]

Honours

Competition records

YearLeague positionLeague competitionsCup competitions
2007–08 8th Premier League FA Cup  – Round 1
2009 1st (champions) Premier League FA Cup  – Quarterfinal

References

  1. "Skuad Harimau Muda dibubar". Utusan Malaysia (in Malay). 26 November 2015. Archived from the original on 21 August 2018. Retrieved 25 August 2016.
  2. Nik Afiq (22 January 2015). "Khairy Jamaluddin reveals Harimau Muda system was not made for long term". Goal.com. Archived from the original on 4 April 2018. Retrieved 25 August 2016.