Harimau Muda B was the club name for the former Malaysia Under-21 National Football Team and was managed by the Football Association of Malaysia. The national team played as a club under the name Harimau Muda B[1] which took part in Malaysia Premier League from the 2007–08 season and also FA Cup Malaysia.[2] In 2015, Harimau Muda once again became a single team composed of former Harimau Muda A & B players.[3]
Harimau Muda B last competed in Singapore's 2014 S. League. The team was aimed at developing Malaysian youth players and does not recruit any foreign nationals in its squad. On 25 November 2015,it was confirmed that the Harimau Muda has disbanded by FAM which means all the player from Harimau Muda A,Harimau Muda B and Harimau Muda C will be returned to their own state.[4]
The name "Harimau Muda" means "Young Tigers" in English.
On the 2011 season, Harimau Muda A joined the 2011 Super League Malaysia replacing KL PLUS FC and Harimau Muda B continued to play in the 2011 Malaysia Premier League. Harimau Muda A finished 5th while Harimau Muda B played their worst season being in the bottom 3. However, they managed to avoid relegation and will continue to play in the Malaysia Premier League.
In addition, Harimau Muda C was formed to provide a bigger pool of players and become a feeder team for Harimau Muda B, as Harimau Muda B did to Harimau Muda A. Harimau Muda C made their debut in the 3rd Division of Malaysian football, the FAM League and fielded under-18 aged players.
In 2015, Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin, former FAM's Deputy President has stated that the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) must disband the Harimau Muda system, stating the Harimau Muda system is no longer relevant, it was not planned for the long term, and the state football associations should take the responsibility to groom potential players.[6] The new Harimau Muda participated and won the 2015 Bangabandhu Cup, their first international tournament.
