Fewer than 1,000 tickets have been sold for this year’s competition, featuring Harimau Malaya, defending champions Tajikistan, Lebanon and the Philippines, which kicks off at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil on Wednesday.

FAM vice-president Posa Majais, who is chairman of FAM’s ticket and stadium committee, said the poor ticket sales may be due to some groups threatening to boycott the tournament this year.

“FAM has tried various methods to promote ticket sales to encourage supporters to attend the matches,” Berita Harian quoted Posa as saying.

He said the national team needs the support of fans, whom he described as “the 12th player”.

Fan support is crucial in ensuring the national team achieves positive results, he said.

“The players are fighting for the country, so don’t let them be alone on the field without supporters cheering them on.”

Last month, the Ultras Malaya supporters’ group said it had decided to boycott this year’s Pestabola Merdeka because of unsolved criminal cases affecting national footballers, the sudden resignation of national football coach Kim Pan-gon, and other matters.

Ultras groups from Kuala Lumpur, Pahang, Negeri Sembilan and Penang have also said they intend to boycott the tournament, out of dissatisfaction with FAM and poor management of the Malaysian Football League.

Tajikistan beat Malaysia 2-0 in the final to clinch the Pestabola Merdeka tournament last year. The tournament, once a highlight of the Asian football calendar, made a comeback last year after a nine-year lapse.