Malaysia is the underdog compared to Vietnam team.

In an interview with Tri Thuc - Znews, former striker Safee Sali admitted that the current Vietnamese team is at a higher level than Malaysia thanks to its stable foundation, good fighting spirit and even strength.

Safee Sali rates Vietnam team higher than Malaysia.

Safee Sali, born in 1984, is Malaysia's all-time best striker at the AFF Cup with 9 goals, including 2 goals against Vietnam at the 2010 AFF Cup.

Before the decisive match between Malaysia and Vietnam in Group F of the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers on June 10, Safee Sali not only talked about the inevitability of the naturalization trend, but also gave a realistic perspective on the position of the Malaysian team when placed next to the "Golden Star Warriors".

Naturalization is an inevitable trend

When asked about the increasing use of naturalized players by teams like Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand and especially Indonesia, Safee Sali said that it is a reasonable step and in line with the global trend.

"Not only Southeast Asia, but also developed football teams in the world use naturalized players or players with immigrant backgrounds. If we want to narrow the gap with strong teams in the region, we must do the same," Safee Sali emphasized to Tri Thuc - Znews .

Safee Sali has had a lot of experience playing against the Vietnamese team in the past. Photo: AFC .

Safee Sali is also not against this trend, because the important thing is that naturalized players need to prove their true professional quality at the international level. "As long as they dedicate themselves and sweat for the national team, their origin is no longer an issue," he said.

Asked whether bringing in many naturalized players would affect the competitive spirit or hinder the opportunities of local players, Safee Sali affirmed: "On the contrary, it will create positive pressure. If there is no competition, domestic players will stay in the safe zone. If you want to reach the continental level, you have to understand what the standards are and you have to reach them."

The former striker of the Malaysian national team also commented that this is a golden time, when FIFA expanded the number of teams participating in the World Cup to 48 teams: "Opportunities like this don't come around often. Southeast Asia needs to seize it, and if it needs naturalized players to do that, it should do it."

Malaysia is the underdog, but not easy to beat

When asked about the upcoming match between Malaysia and Vietnam in the third qualifying round of the 2027 Asian Cup, Safee Sali did not hesitate to admit that his team is in a weaker position, especially when Vietnam has just won the championship and has a stable squad.

"Malaysia is changing - new coach, new players, so it's difficult to create stability immediately. Vietnam have a stronger spirit, better organization. But playing at Bukit Jalil is not easy for any team," Safee Sali declared.

Safee Sali believes that the home advantage at Bukit Jalil is Malaysia's biggest weapon, and this will be a match worth looking forward to. However, he added that the home team needs to play as a team, instead of expecting too much from a few individuals.

Safee Sali supports Southeast Asian teams using more naturalized players. Photo: Anh Tien .

Asked to name a player who could make a difference for Malaysia, Safee Sali named Berkson, a striker who plays for Johor Darul Ta'zim. He believes that if Berkson were to become a naturalised player, he could make a breakthrough in attack. Safee Sali also mentioned Pablo Josue and Blake Santos, while being cautious about Rodrigo Hogado, a naturalised Colombian, as he has not been proven at the international level.

As a Malaysian football icon, Safee Sali knows the value of a win against Vietnam. Although he rates his opponents highly, he believes that with spirit and careful preparation, the Malaysian team can cause a surprise.

"If we can draw, that's good, but of course I always want Malaysia to win. But the most important thing is that the team must show national spirit, pride and unity. The result is important, but the way we play is what leaves an impression," Safee Sali added.

At the end of the interview, Safee Sali sent a message to domestic players: "Don't complain when you are not as good as others. Try to reach their level. The World Cup is a dream and if you really want it, you must be ready to surpass that standard."

Close-up of the $50 million stadium of Southeast Asia's richest club JDT's Sultan Ibrahim Stadium is considered one of the most modern football stadiums in Malaysia and Southeast Asia.

Source: https://znews.vn/malaysia-o-cua-duoi-so-voi-tuyen-viet-nam-post1556458.html