PETALING JAYA: Four more Malaysians abroad have joined the national team before the all-important 2027 Asian Cup third-round qualifiers game against Vietnam on June 10.
The national team led by Australian coach Peter Cklamovski would be bolstered by the presence of strikers Joao Figueiredo and Rodrigo Holgado, winger Imanol Machuca and centreback Jon Iranzabal.
All four players have already spent several days training with the team and have impressed with their performances.
Machuca, 25, is a nimble flanker who plays for Vélez Sarsfield on loan from Brazilian side Fortaleza. At 1.70m, the Argentine-born winger is capable on either flank and thrives on creating goal-scoring chances.
Holgado, 29, currently leads the line for Colombian giants América de Cali. The clinical striker has already netted seven goals and registered two assists in just 15 league appearances this season—an impressive return that could add bite to Malaysia’s attack.
Then there’s Iranzabal, a 28-year-old Spanish-born defender who recently helped Azerbaijani club Sabah lift the national cup.
Figueiredo, 29, is a Brazilian-born striker, who currently plays for Turkish top division side Istanbul Basaksehir.
