DOHA: While an enigmatic Malaysia surprised fans with contrasting performances in the Asian Cup, FAM president Datuk Hamidin Amin dismissed the claims of "hidden hands" at play.
Malaysia, who started their campaign with a hard-to-swallow 4-0 loss to Jordan, ended with a heroic 3-3 draw against mighty South Korea on Thursday.
Hamidin said every decision pertaining to Harimau Malaya is done by the coaching team, led by Kim Pan Gon.
Some fans claimed that they saw Harimau Malaya with a "different formation and selection of players" in the mauling by Jordan last week.
"I would like to explain the claims of 'hidden hands' which have surfaced many times in the past. Pan Gon came up with the line-up after discussing with his backroom staff and finalised it with me as the president. Nothing else to it," said Hamidin.
"I did ask Pan Gon if there was anyone bothering him. So, I think this is not an issue."
Hamidin said unrealistic expectations by fans will result in speculations whenever Harimau Malaya lose.
"When we won in the past two years, nobody questioned us. When we shot to world No. 130, this never became an issue. It only became so when certain individuals started speculating.
"I don't agree with this (type of speculation) because Pan Gon is the one that makes the decision."
Though Malaysia finished bottom of their group with only one point,
Hamidn said he does not consider it a failure.
"I would not say it's a failure. The squad gained plenty of experience, learning from here (in Doha)."
The FAM chief said fans should umderstand that World Cup teams - Japan, South Korea, Australia and Saudi Arabia - are also competing in Doha.
He said Malaysia qualifying on merit for the quadrennial Asian showpiece after 43 years is already an achievement, and they will focus on qualifying for the 2027 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia.
