NATURALISED player Liridon Krasniqi (pic) may get to represent Malaysia in the second round of the 2022 World Cup/2023 Asia Cup qualifiers match against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Dubai next month.
Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) secretary-general Stuart Ramalingam said it was working to ensure that the Johor Darul Ta’zim midfielder was registered before the deadline for registration of players on March 20.
Krasniqi, 28, will complete his five-year stay in Malaysia on March 25, which is one of the conditions set by the International Football Federation (FIFA) for a naturalised player to represent his adopted country.
“After doing some research and discussions, we feel that there is no barrier for Krasniqi to represent Malaysia in the near future. Based on the five-year term, we believe he can be listed in the national team before the match against the UAE.
“We have to wait for FIFA’s confirmation in the next two weeks as they may have certain calculation methods. If all our documentation and calculations are done correctly, Krasniqi will be with the national team,” he said.
The Harimau Malaya squad under the guidance of head coach Tan Cheng Hoe are scheduled to face the UAE in the Group G qualifying round at the Al Maktoum Stadium in Dubai on March 26, a day after Krasniqi completes his five-year stint in Malaysia.
The UAE recently were reported to have “imported” three new players from Latin America — Sebastian Lucas Taglibue of Argentina and Brazilians Caio Canedo Correa and Fabio Virginio de Lima — in an effort to strengthen the team.
Krasniqi, who has played for Melaka and Kedah, will be the second naturalised player after Pahang winger Mohamadou Sumareh, who donned national colours in 2018.
Meanwhile, Stuart said the Kosovo-born player, who became a Malaysian citizen after receiving his identity card (MyKad) at the Putrajaya National Registration Department headquarters, was excited to fulfil his dream of representing the Malaysian team.
“He (Krasniqi) asked me when he will be called up for the national squad. That was the first question he asked,” Stuart said.
At the same time, Stuart said the naturalisation process for Perak striker Guilherme De Paula, who is also on FAM’s radar, would be known in the near future.
“De Paula’s application will take a little while as there are a few things to be done to ensure we meet FIFA’s requirements. I hope it can be resolved in one or two weeks to ensure De Paula can wear the national jersey,” he said. — Bernama
Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) secretary-general Stuart Ramalingam said it was working to ensure that the Johor Darul Ta’zim midfielder was registered before the deadline for registration of players on March 20.
Krasniqi, 28, will complete his five-year stay in Malaysia on March 25, which is one of the conditions set by the International Football Federation (FIFA) for a naturalised player to represent his adopted country.
“After doing some research and discussions, we feel that there is no barrier for Krasniqi to represent Malaysia in the near future. Based on the five-year term, we believe he can be listed in the national team before the match against the UAE.
“We have to wait for FIFA’s confirmation in the next two weeks as they may have certain calculation methods. If all our documentation and calculations are done correctly, Krasniqi will be with the national team,” he said.
The Harimau Malaya squad under the guidance of head coach Tan Cheng Hoe are scheduled to face the UAE in the Group G qualifying round at the Al Maktoum Stadium in Dubai on March 26, a day after Krasniqi completes his five-year stint in Malaysia.
The UAE recently were reported to have “imported” three new players from Latin America — Sebastian Lucas Taglibue of Argentina and Brazilians Caio Canedo Correa and Fabio Virginio de Lima — in an effort to strengthen the team.
Krasniqi, who has played for Melaka and Kedah, will be the second naturalised player after Pahang winger Mohamadou Sumareh, who donned national colours in 2018.
Meanwhile, Stuart said the Kosovo-born player, who became a Malaysian citizen after receiving his identity card (MyKad) at the Putrajaya National Registration Department headquarters, was excited to fulfil his dream of representing the Malaysian team.
“He (Krasniqi) asked me when he will be called up for the national squad. That was the first question he asked,” Stuart said.
At the same time, Stuart said the naturalisation process for Perak striker Guilherme De Paula, who is also on FAM’s radar, would be known in the near future.
“De Paula’s application will take a little while as there are a few things to be done to ensure we meet FIFA’s requirements. I hope it can be resolved in one or two weeks to ensure De Paula can wear the national jersey,” he said. — Bernama
Already a subscriber? Log in
Get 20% OFF The Star Digital Access
Cancel anytime. Ad-free. Unlimited access with perks.
