PETALING JAYA: Malaysia’s 2027 Asian Cup third-round qualifier against Vietnam is still two months away but the anticipation for it is getting higher sooner than expected.
With both sides likely to bolster their squads in June with more naturalised and mixed heritage players, the clash is building up to be a mouth-watering one.
Adding to the excitement is Johor Regent and Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) owner Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim’s hint that more mixed heritage players will be roped in after the recent inclusions of midfielder Hector Hevel and leftback Gabriel Palmero.
Tunku Ismail, who is overseeing the national team, said on his X account after Malaysia’s 2-0 win over Nepal on Tuesday: “The journey is still long but I’m confident that we will see constant progress and improvements in every aspect.
‘‘Against Nepal, we could see that the playing structure was solid, and the intensity remained high for 90 minutes.
“Seven more Malaysian players abroad will add more quality and help the team.
‘‘Most importantly, the national team must compete in top international competitions and be respected.
“To achieve this goal, we must unite and be patient. The priority is not the speed, but the direction we are heading.”
Although he did not mention who the seven players abroad were, many say they could be playing in Spain, Holland and even Australia.
As for Vietnam, they could have two more naturalised players after the inclusion of striker Rafaelson Bezerra in the AFF Cup last year.
They are believed to be Brazilian midfielder Hendrio Araujo, who plays for Nam Dinh, and Jamaican striker Rimario Gordon of Thanh Hoa.
Araujo has been playing in Vietnam since 2021, while Gordon has been there since 2018.
Their additions would surely galvanise their already solid attack, which was evident in their 5-0 thrashing of Laos in the other Asian Cup third-round qualifier on Tuesday.
