Malaysia vs Jordan

Malaysia and Jordan are set to trade tackles at the Al Janoub Stadium in their opening Asian Cup Group E encounter.

It’s been 17 years since Malaysia last appeared at the Asian Cup, with their 2007 participation ending in the group stages, as had their two previous tournament campaigns. They only won once in eight matches across those three competitions (D3, L5), conceding an average of 2.22 goals per game. However, this Malaysian squad boasts the potential to turn the nation’s fortunes at the Asian Cup around. Indeed, before an action-packed 2-2 draw against Syria in their final warm-up fixture ahead of the tournament, the ‘Malayan Tiger’ won back-to-back internationals and in World Cup qualifying, nonetheless. Chinese Taipei and Kyrgyzstan fell at their feet, but with both those wins yielding a single-goal margin, any potential success here may warrant a dramatic finale.

In the meantime, Jordan’s fourth consecutive Asian Cup appearance comes amidst an ominous-looking run of form, with Hussein Ammouta’s side losing three of their last four internationals (W1), including a humiliating 6-1 defeat to Japan in their final exhibition outing. Jordan’s defensive frailties have seen them go 11 consecutive matches without a clean sheet since a 4-0 demolition of the Philippines in June 2023. It’s even more concerning that they’ve conceded 2+ goals in eight of those 11 games, casting significant doubt on their bid to maintain a flawless defensive record against Malaysia. Indeed, the ‘Chivalrous Ones’ have held the Malaysians at bay in all three H2Hs in the 21st century (W2, D1), winning the last two by a 5-0 aggregate score.