Lively Reception For Harimau Muda Squad

SEPANG (Malaysia), Nov 22 (Bernama) –- The Harimau Muda (Young Tiger) squad who won the gold medal in football at the 26th SEA Games in Jakarta arrived home to a lively reception at the Low Cost Carrier Terminal, here, Tuesday morning. About 1,000 supporters were at the airport to greet the national team who arrived at 7.30am on a special flight from Jakarta. Malaysia beat Indonesia 4-3 through a penalty shootout, after being tied 1-1 during the regulation and extended time, at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium. The success enabled Malaysia to defend its gold medal that it won in Laos two years ago. The team was accompanied by Youth and Sports Minister Ahmad Shabery Cheek and National Sports Council officials. The national squad will face Syria at the Olympic qualifying match at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium on Wednesday. Meanwhile, coach Ong Kim Swee said despite the numerous obstacles in Indonesia, the burning spirit of all the players and officials succeed in overcoming them. "This is the spirit that our team must show when playing against Syria," he told reporters. -- BERNAMA Malaysia