Malaysia has time to add a naturalized striker from Colombia, Coach Kim finds a way to cope

Malaysia significantly increased its offensive strength, 'threatening' coach Kim Sang-sik and his team

New Straits Times reported: "Through Colombian journalist Pipe Sierra, it was confirmed that the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) has sent a request to America de Cali Club to call up striker Rodrigo Holgado to the national team in the FIFA Days schedule this June."

The Malaysian team (in yellow) will significantly increase its strength thanks to naturalized players before the rematch with the Vietnamese team in June.

Photo: Independence

"The Malaysian national team will have Rodrigo Holgado in the squad. The information regarding his naturalization has not been finalized yet, but they (FAM) are handling all the issues from Asia. Club America de Cali has also been informed and is waiting for further details. Holgado will have a long journey (to Malaysia) if everything is confirmed," Pipe Sierra wrote on social network X.

Rodrigo Holgado is playing for America de Cali in the Colombian Primera A, scoring 17 goals in 44 appearances since joining the club last year. In the 2025 season, the striker born in Buenos Aires, Argentina also scored 7 goals and had 2 assists, helping America de Cali (15-time Colombian champions) continue to lead the rankings.

"Malaysian fans are very hopeful about the presence of Rodrigo Holgado to significantly increase the strength of the national team's attack, right before the important match with the Vietnamese team. They hope that all naturalization procedures for this player will be completed soon, so that he can join coach Peter Cklamovski's team, which has been training for the past 6 days," New Straits Times expressed.

Is coach Kim Sang-sik of the Vietnamese team worried about the rapid changes of the Malaysian team?

Photo: Ngoc Linh

However, FAM has not yet officially announced Rodrigo Holgado's presence in the Malaysian national team, because the naturalization procedures are still in the process of being completed. If everything goes well, Rodrigo Holgado will be a very strong addition to the "Harimau Malaya" attack line alongside other foreign-born strikers such as Fergus Tierney (from Scotland), Paulo Josue (Brazil) and Romel Morales (Colombia).

The Malaysian team will meet the Vietnamese team in the second match of Group F in the third qualifying round of the 2027 Asian Cup, taking place at 8:00 p.m. on June 10 at Bukit Jalil Stadium in Kuala Lumpur. The winning team will have a huge advantage in winning the top spot in the group and securing a place in the final round in Saudi Arabia (taking place from January 7 to February 5, 2027).

In the history of confrontation, the Vietnamese team won 15 matches against Malaysia, drew 3 and lost only 5. In the last 8 meetings, the "Golden Star Warriors" were undefeated against their opponents, with a record of 7 wins and 1 draw.

However, the upcoming meeting promises many challenges for coach Kim Sang-sik and his team as Malaysia has increased the naturalization of many foreign players to cope. Mr. Kim and his colleagues will have to come up with a detailed plan to help the Vietnamese team face a strong opponent.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/malaysia-kip-bo-sung-chan-sut-khung-nhap-tich-tu-colombia-hlv-kim-tim-cach-ung-pho-18525052508454268.htm