PETALING JAYA: There’s a middle man in the national football team that is becoming almost irreplaceable.
Nooa Laine has emerged as Malaysia’s most dependable figure in midfield, being the only player to have featured in every match under coach Peter Cklamovski since the Australian took charge in January 2025.
The 23-year-old Selangor ace also stands out with the most club appearances this season, having played in 39 matches in all competitions for the Red Giants.
Now, Laine is set to feature prominently in Malaysia’s 2027 Asian Cup qualifier against Vietnam on Tuesday.
The Finland-born Laine, whose father is Malaysian, said he has fully embraced his big responsibility as a key player in the team.
“Every time you play for the team, it is a huge honour. You have to show the best of yourself in any situation,” said Laine.
“Whether it is a training match, a friendly or a qualification game, I treat them all as big matches and prepare mentally because you want to give your all on the field.”
Laine added that preparations in Bangkok have gone smoothly, with the team benefiting from valuable time together.
The squad had trained in Bangkok from Monday to Friday before flying to Hanoi yesterday.
“It’s nice to have the group together again. We know Vietnam away will be tough, but we have a good squad.
“The preparation in Bangkok has been excellent. We can’t complain at all, as the stadium and the pitch are both fine.”
Noted for his work rate and discipline, Laine excels in the demanding role of a defensive midfielder.
At the same time, he is equally effective as a deep-lying playmaker, capable of dictating the tempo of matches and initiating attacks with his vision and passing range.
