Malaysian media hopes FAM will not naturalize players for SEA Games

Many Malaysian newspapers and football forums expressed their wish that the Malaysian Football Association (FAM) should focus on using local players for the 2025 SEA Games.

Malaysia (yellow shirt) has had many relationships with Vietnam at all levels of football over the years - Photo: VFFM

"Different level, but same old story," Malaysia's New Straits Times headlined after the draw for men's football at the 2025 SEA Games.

Accordingly, Vietnam, Malaysia and Laos are in the same group, recreating the group stage of the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers (excluding Nepal).

Malaysia's leading newspaper commented that Vietnam is the team that has a lot of connections with Malaysia, at all national team levels.

At the 2024 AFC U23 Championship, Malaysia was also in the same group with Vietnam. Malaysia lost 0-2 and accepted the bottom position in Group D with 0 points.

Recently, the scandal involving the illegal naturalization of players has plunged Malaysian football into controversy. Among the newspapers, the New Straits Times has been the most vocal in criticizing the shady dealings of the FAM (Football Association of Malaysia).

"While local footballers like Faisal Halim and Arif Aiman ​​continue to inspire on the pitch, FAM administrators are struggling to explain why they have dragged the country into such a shameful scandal," commented the New Straits Times in an article published on October 19.

Next, they published an article boosting the morale of Nafuzi Zain, the coach who led Malaysia at the Southeast Asian U23 Championship in June and will continue to lead the team at the 2025 SEA Games.

"I'm not too worried about what people call 'trials' and 'failures'. I still believe in this team," NST quoted Mr. Zain.

Arif Aiman ​​is a native Malaysian player - Photo: NST

At the 2025 Southeast Asian U23 Championship, Malaysia only used two naturalized players: Fergus Tierney and El Basheer. Both have clearly identifiable Malaysian origins. And according to Malaysian media, this is an acceptable number.

"At 23, Arif Aiman ​​continues to redefine what native Malaysian players can achieve," the New Straits Times said, using the football star's example to call on Malaysia to halt its policy of mass naturalization.

Two days ago, Arif Aiman ​​was nominated for AFC Player of the Year, an "unprecedented" honor for Malaysian football before.

"Malaysia has many good and young players. The SEA Games is an opportunity for Malaysia to showcase such promising players on the international stage. At this age, please don't naturalize players," a Malaysian fan commented on the ASEAN Football fan page.

HUY DANG

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/truyen-thong-malaysia-mong-fam-dung-nhap-tich-cau-thu-cho-sea-games-20251019172334068.htm