KUALA LUMPUR – The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) has hinted that the national U-23 squad will be strengthened with the inclusion of two foreign-based young players ahead of September’s qualifiers in Chonburi, Thailand for the 2024 AFC U-23 Asian Cup.
This is following the governing body’s confirmation that the two overseas-based players, namely striker Luqman Hakim Shamsudin and Finnish-Malaysian midfielder Nooa Laine can be released by their clubs to join the squad coached by E. Elavarasan.
Luqman Hakim, 21, plays for Icelandic club Njardvik FC while Nooa, 20, represents Finnish club SJK Seinajoki.
FAM president Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin said the qualifying round is crucial and will be held during FIFA’s international window.
“FAM has contacted Luqman Hakim and Nooa. These two players can be released this time, so FAM hope the U-23 squad can form a solid outfit for the coming qualifiers,” he told reporters today.
In the qualifying round, Malaysia are in Group H with hosts Thailand, Bangladesh, and the Philippines.
The group winners and the four best second-placed teams advance to next year’s finals tournament, where the top three teams will qualify for the Paris Olympics.
Elaborating, Hamidin said he had met Elavarasan and asked the 61-year-old coach to improve the team’s performance levels.
Meanwhile, Hamidin also said he feels that Elavarasan’s charges should reach at least the semi-finals of the AFF U-23 Championships in Chonburi from August 17 to 26.
“But, we must remember that the AFF U-23 championship is not in the FIFA calendar. Many players will not be released (by their clubs), so he (Elavarasan) will try out players not involved in the Malaysia League competition,” he said.
The recently concluded SEA Games in Cambodia was held outside the FIFA international window and the national U-23 squad crashed out in the group stage, thus failing to meet the target of reaching the final at the biennial Games.
In March, Elavarasan guided the team to emerge as champions in the Merlion Cup in Singapore. – Bernama, May 30, 2023
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