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Malaysian Defender Gabriel Palmero Learns National Anthem Through YouTube Ahead of International Debut
KUALA LUMPUR, May 30 - Ahead of his international debut with Harimau Malaya, Spanish-born defender Gabriel Palmero, the latest addition to the team's heritage players, utilised YouTube to learn and practice the national anthem, Negaraku.
The 23-year-old player from CD Tenerife B found himself participating in a Tier 1 international match against Cape Verde at the Kuala Lumpur Football Stadium in Cheras. The match ended in a 1-1 draw, with Palmero delivering an impressive performance.
Following the friendly, Palmero passionately expressed his effort in memorizing the anthem, confessing that he had rehearsed extensively through online videos. His English may not be perfect, but he emphasized that football serves as a universal language that encourages straightforward communication with teammates on the pitch.
Paulo Josue, a substitute, scored an equalising goal in the 79th minute, preventing Cape Verde from securing the victory after Sidny Lopes Cabral had given them an early lead in the eighth minute. Palmero, who performed admirably on the right side, narrowly missed scoring himself after striking the post from a long-range attempt in just the seventh minute.
As Palmero integrated into the new team, he encountered no difficulties adapting to his teammates. This fruitful synergy contributed to his strong performance during the game.
The second friendly match between Malaysia and Cape Verde is scheduled for Tuesday, June 3, at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil. The forthcoming encounters against Cape Verde are part of Malaysia's preparations for the crucial games against Vietnam in their second Group F match of the 2027 Asian Cup Qualifiers at the National Stadium on June 10. Both Vietnam and Malaysia currently lead the group with three points each following victories in their initial matches.
In the aftermath of his impressive debut performance against Cape Verde, where he scored an equalizing goal and showcased a strong connection with his teammates, Gabriel Palmero, a new addition to Harimau Malaya, revealed that he learned and practiced the national anthem, Negaraku, through online videos due to his unfamiliarity with the Malay language. Being a football player who appreciates the sport's universality, he emphasized the importance of uncomplicated communication with his teammates, sharing that even though his English might not be perfect, football serves as a language bridge. Despite residing in Kuala Lumpur now, Palmero continues to follow the sports news from his homeland, CD Tenerife B, keeping up with the latest international sports events alongside Malay news.
