Latest U.23 Vietnam match schedule: Malaysia receives 'shocking' news before the big match

Marselino Ferdinan officially withdrew from SEA Games 33, U.23 Indonesia

At the 33rd SEA Games, Marselino Ferdinan is considered the most prominent star of U.23 Indonesia. The striker born in 2004 has extensive experience, playing for many foreign clubs such as Deinze (Belgium), Oxford United (England). In the 2025-2026 season, Marselino Ferdinan is also playing football in Slovakia for AS Trenčín Club. To defend the gold medal won at the 32nd SEA Games, Head of the U.23 Indonesia delegation, Mr. Sumardji, said that the Indonesian Football Federation (PSSI) spent a lot of time convincing AS Trenčín Club to allow Marselino Ferdinan to play at the 33rd SEA Games.

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However, on the afternoon of December 3, Indonesian media revealed that Marselino Ferdinan had officially withdrawn from the largest sports event in Southeast Asia. According to Bola Times , the 21-year-old player suffered an injury and had some problems recovering.

"Marselino Ferdinan has canceled all plans to concentrate with U.23 Indonesia. He was expected to be present tonight, but everything had to stop immediately," Mr. Sumardji shared.

- Ảnh 1. — Marselino Ferdinan officially absent from SEA Games 33

The head of the U.23 Indonesia delegation added: “Marselino Ferdinandan announced that he has a hamstring injury. The player’s medical team has diagnosed that he will have to rest for at least 10 days, which means Marselino Ferdinandan will not recover in time to play in the SEA Games group stage.”

CNN Indonesia assessed that the absence of Marselino Ferdinan will greatly affect the attacking strength of U.23 Indonesia at SEA Games 33.

“To replace Marselino Ferdinan, Persik Kediri player Rifqi Ray has been called up. The 21-year-old will fly to Thailand as soon as possible before the first match of Indonesia U23 against Philippines U23. However, in terms of class and breakthrough, Rifqi Ray cannot be compared to Marselino Ferdinan.

Thus, currently U.23 Indonesia only has 3 naturalized players participating in SEA Games 33, including Mauro Zijlstra, Dion Marks and Ivar Jenner," CNN Indonesia commented.

Penyerang Sabah FC determined not to release Fergus Tierney

Similar to U.23 Indonesia, on December 3, U.23 Malaysia also received shocking news when Fergus Tierney was confirmed to be absent from both matches in Group B, against U.23 Laos (December 7) and U.23 Vietnam (December 11). According to Penyerang Sabah Club representative, Mr. Mohd Joh Wid, the team's coach, Mr. Jean-Paul de Marigny, is determined to keep this 22-year-old player for the FA Cup final against Johor Darul Ta'zim Club (JDT) on December 14.

- Ảnh 3. — Fergus Tierney (15) will not be present in the match against U.23 Vietnam.

"Our proposal was to let Tierney play one match, help Malaysia U23 face Laos U23 and then he would return to the club. However, coach Jean-Paul de Marigny still wanted Tierney to stay with the team and focus on the FA Cup final. For us, the national team and the club are both important. But anyway, coach Jean-Paul de Marigny also has his own goals. We respect the head coach's decision and in short, Sabah needs Tierney's services," explained Mohd Joh Wid.

Marselino Ferdinan officially withdrew from SEA Games 33, U.23 Indonesia

Penyerang Sabah FC determined not to release Fergus Tierney

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