Malaysia announces squad to face Vietnam: Boost from Europe

The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) has just announced a list of 38 players to prepare for the friendly match with Cape Verde and the match against the Vietnamese team in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers.

Gabriel Palmero, who is playing in Spain, may make his debut for Malaysia in the match against the Vietnamese team (Photo: SNE).

Since the Malaysian national championship has ended, they will first gather 28 players to compete in the domestic league on May 18. After that, 8 players Syihan Hazmi, Corbin-Ong, Matthew Davies, Shahrul Saad, Junior Eldstal, Afiq Fazail, Romel Morales and Endrick dos Santos will join the team on May 25. The remaining two names that will join the team the latest are Dion Cools and Hector Hevel, who will join the team on June 1.

Notably, in this training session, Malaysia will introduce a brand new naturalized player, Gabriel Palmero. The Spanish defender has just completed the naturalization procedure. Previously, Palmero was called up to the Malaysian national team in March but could not play because he had not completed the naturalization procedure. Currently, Palmero plays for Tenerife B in the Spanish 4th division.

According to statistics from Transfermarkt, Palmero has played 28 matches for Tenerife B this season. The defender born in 2002 is valued at 50,000 euros.

In addition to Palmero, Malaysia also called up another player from Europe, Hector Hevel, who is playing for Portimonense in the Portuguese second division. The midfielder, born in 1996, has played 8 matches for Portimonense this season. In March, the Dutch player made his debut for Malaysia in the match against Nepal in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers. He contributed 1 goal in the 2-0 victory of the "Tigers".

Another European-based player, Hector Hevel (No. 13), made his Malaysia debut against Nepal in March (Photo: FAM).

If we count the old players, Malaysia will have a squad with half of the players being naturalized (of Malaysian or foreign origin). This is the strongest force that coach Peter Cklamovski can summon at this time.

Malaysia have lost 11 of their last 13 matches against Vietnam. However, coach Peter Cklamovski and his players are determined to change history.

According to the schedule, Malaysia will play two matches against Cape Verde on May 29 and June 3 (behind closed doors), before facing the Vietnamese team at Bukit Jalil Stadium on June 10. This is a match that will directly decide the ticket to attend the 2027 Asian Cup in Group F.

Malaysia team list:

Gabriel Palmero (CD Tenerife B), Hector Hevel (Portimonense SC), Dion Cools (Buriram United), Endrick Dos Santos (HCMC), Daniel Ting, Dominic Tan, Stuart Wilkin (with Sabah FC), Syed Nasrulhaq Syed Bidin, Safwan Mazlan, Ubaidullah Shamsul Fazili, Safawi Rasid (with Terengganu FC), Azri Ghani, Haiqal Azim Rosli, Paulo Josue (with Kuala Lumpur City FC), Haziq Nadzli (Perak FC), Harith Haiqal, Ahmad Zikri, Nooa Laine, Quentin Cheng, Faisal Halim, Abu Khalil (with Selangor FC), Haykal Danish, Aiman ​​Hakimi, Hazrul Rahalizal (with Selangor FC U23), Ahmad Syihan, Corbin-Ong, Matthew Davies, Shahrul Saad, Junior Eldstal, Afiq Fazail, Nazmi Faiz, Nathaniel Shio Hong Wan, Syamer Kutty Abba, Arif Aiman, Fergus Tierney, Romel Morales (with Johor Darul Ta'zim), Alif Ahmad, Shafizan Arshad (Johor Darul Ta'zim II).

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/the-thao/malaysia-cong-bo-danh-sach-gap-tuyen-viet-nam-cu-hich-tu-chau-au-20250515130935775.htm