Come on guys: Coach Kim Pan-gon reacts during the match against Kyrgyzstan during the World Cup 2026-Asian Cup 2027 second-round qualifiers at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil.— MOHD SHAHRIL ROSLI/The Star
KUALA LUMPUR: There was double joy for national football head coach Kim Pan-gon on Thursday.
His boys made it a glorious night by coming from behind to beat the Kyrgyzstan 4-3 in their opening Group D match of the World Cup 2026-Asian Cup 2027 second-round qualifiers at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil on Thursday.
It comes on the same day when the successful Pan-gon’s contract was extended for another two years until 2025.
It was a great win for world No. 137 Malaysia to get the better of Kyrgyzstan, ranked 97th in the world.
Korean Pan-gon was seen jumping for joy after the win and later described it as one of the most tense moments in his life.
“It was like going to hell and heaven at the same time. I felt like I almost had a heart attack. We scored first and then we were down 1-3, then we made a comeback. I do not like this kind of game but at the end of the day, we won and made Malaysia happy,” said the South Korean.
Nippy winger Faisal Halim was the hero when he scored the winner in the 93rd minute by finishing off a superb interchange of play between fellow winger Arif Aiman Hanapi and substitute midfielder Endrick Dos Santos.
Centreback Dion Cools got a double when he finished off two corners from Arif in the seventh and 77th minute. The second goal came in the 72nd minute when Arif’s low-drilled cross was inadvertently deflected by Kyrgyzstan centreback Khristiyan Brauzman into his own net.
The goals from the Central Asian nation came from wingback Zhyrgalbek Kayrat in the 41st minute, striker Ernist Batyrkanov (43rd) and substitute midfielder Kai Merk (56th).
Pan-gon said his dressing-room speech after trailing 1-2 in the first half was simple but it did the trick.
“We have to be humble even against a top team. I like confidence but we should not be overconfident or arrogant,” said Pan-gon.
“So during half-time, I told the boys that it was up to them. I told them to fight for their country. I have done my part to create a good environment and their duty is to show their commitment on the field. And they did.
“I am proud of that. They responded in a great way. They controlled themselves and demanded a lot from themselves. Their desire was amazing.”
The 54-year-old Pan-gon has done well to lead the team since taking over the reins from Tan Cheng Hoe early last year and it did not come as a surprise when the Football Association of Malaysia president Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin announced that his contract would be extended.
“He is someone who gives his fullest commitment. Not 100 percent but 200 percent. That is why we want him to continue as coach and do something special for Malaysia,” said Hamidin.
Under him, Malaysia have recorded 17 wins, two draws and six defeats and will now hoping for another good result when they face
Meanwhile, Kyrgyzstan coach Stefan Tarkovic lamented that individual mistakes cost them the game.
“For the first 25 mins, we were not ourselves. We didn’t press and hold the ball well. But we changed and we scored three goals but still lost, I’m angry and frustrated,” he said.
“The morale is low. We have five more matches now. We need to forget this defeat. We have to analyse, learn from our mistakes and move forward.”
