The Malaysia national team was reportedly invited by PSSI to take part in a three-country tournament to be held in September 2025. In addition to the Indonesian and Malaysian national teams, the triangular tournament was reportedly also attended by the West Asian country, Lebanon.
“Indonesia is preparing to host a three-nation tournament at the FIFA Matchday September 2025 which will take place from 1-9 September 2025. The tournament will be attended by Indonesia, Malaysia and Lebanon,” wrote the X account @aseanball.
However, one of the Malaysian media One Football My, mocked the news of PSSI inviting Malaysia to take part in their tournament. One Football My said that the Indonesian National Team is not at the level of the Harimau Malaya squad – the nickname of the Malaysian National Team.
What level of tournament is this? Different level from Malaysia,” wrote One Football My via his X account, @OnefootballM.
Indonesian netizens were not emotional with the comments above. The majority of netizens
Indonesia admits that the levels of the Indonesian and Malaysian National Teams are indeed different, namely the Garuda squad level is above the Harimau Malaya squad. In recent years, the achievements of the Indonesian and Malaysian National Teams have indeed been very different. When the Indonesian National Team still qualified for the 2026 World Cup, Malaysia’s steps failed in the second qualifying round.
Likewise in the 2027 Asian Cup. When the Indonesian National Team has booked a place in the final round, the Malaysian National Team is still fighting in the third round of the 2027 Asian Cup Qualification which will be held from March 2025 to March 2026.
“The view is true, Malaysia is on the same level as Brunei, Nepal and Bangladesh,” wrote the account @TheStromBreaker.
“Yes, it’s a different level indeed,” continued the @gilabola_ina account while showing the achievements of the Indonesian and Malaysian national teams in various age groups in the last few years.
Preparation for the Fourth Round of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers in the Asian Zone
So far, the Indonesian National Team does not have a match schedule in September 2025. One thing is certain, the September 2025 match will be used by PSSI as an event to strengthen the chemistry between Indonesian National Team players.
Because, the Indonesian National Team is almost certain to play in the fourth round of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers for the Asian Zone which will be held in October 2025. One month before playing in the fourth round, the chemistry between Ole Romeny and his friends must be found in order to improve the performance of the Garuda squad.
