The Malaysia national soccer team, also known as "Harimau Malaya" (Malayan Tigers), has a rich history in Southeast Asian football. The team is governed by the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) and has been a member of FIFA since 1956.

History

Malaysia's football history dates back to the early 20th century, with the national team participating in regional competitions like the Merdeka Tournament, which was first held in 1957. The team’s early years were marked by strong performances in regional tournaments.

Major Successes

• Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games): Malaysia has won the gold medal in football at the SEA Games multiple times, with notable victories in 1961, 1977, 1979, and 1989.
• AFF Championship (ASEAN Football Federation Championship): Malaysia won the AFF Championship in 2010, marking one of their most significant achievements in recent years.
• Merdeka Tournament: The team has won the Merdeka Tournament nine times, with their first victory in the inaugural edition in 1958.

Notable Players

• Mokhtar Dahari: Often regarded as one of the greatest Malaysian footballers, Mokhtar was known for his goal-scoring prowess in the 1970s and 1980s.
• Soh Chin Aun: Known as the "Towkay," he is one of the most capped players for Malaysia and was an essential part of the national team during the 1970s and 1980s.
• Safee Sali: A key player in Malaysia's 2010 AFF Championship victory, Safee was the tournament's top scorer.

Notable Coaches

• K. Rajagopal: He led Malaysia to their 2010 AFF Championship victory, one of the team's most significant achievements in recent history.
• Datuk Harun Idris: As a coach in the 1970s, he helped Malaysia win numerous regional tournaments.

The Malaysia national soccer team continues to strive for improvement on the international stage, aiming to build on their past successes and develop new talent for the future.