Southern Tigers playmaker Nathaniel patiently awaits Harimau Malaya call-up

PETALING JAYA: Johor Darul Ta’zim’s Nathaniel Shio Hong Wan has had a colossal year as a midfielder but it is still a surprise why he has not seen action with the Harimau Malaya.

Football fans who have been following his meteoric rise are hoping for the 23-year-old to be included in Malaysia’s Asian Cup squad next year, even though he has not been part of the team’s qualifying campaign.

But thanks to his performances in the domestic competitions, especially in the Malaysia Cup, national coach Kim Pan-gon may be interested in selecting the former Wolves youth trainee.

This season, Nathaniel has helped the Southern Tigers win the Super League, FA Cup, Community Shield and most recently, the Malaysia Cup, where JDT beat Terengganu 3-1 at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil on Friday.

Nathaniel has played 39 times in all competitions, proving himself to be a vital player in midfield for the club.

It won’t be long before he wins his first cap for Malaysia but Nathaniel will patiently wait for the opportunity to don the famed black and yellow jersey of Malaysia one day.

“We play for the fans and they back us all the time. The national call-up? It will happen when it happens. I’m just happy to play football wherever I am,” he said.

“Right now, I am happy to play for coach (Esteban Solari) and boss (Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim). It’s been a real pleasure playing for JDT.

“Sure, it will be an honour if coach Kim Pan-gon calls me up, and I will take it as a challenge. If I am not called up, it’s okay, we will see what happens in the near future. I’m sure it will happen one fine day.”