PETALING JAYA: Malaysia are not giving up just yet despite being deducted points in their Asian Cup campaign as they prepare to face Vietnam in the final group clash on March 31.
National team chief executive officer Rob Friend said the management had acknowledged the decision issued by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) disciplinary and ethics committee regarding their six-point deduction, and will review the matter legally.
“We respect the regulatory processes of the competition. At the same time, this matter is currently being reviewed through the appropriate legal channels,” Friend said in a statement yesterday.
“Throughout this period, our priority remains clear - to support our players and staff, and to ensure they are in the best possible position to represent Malaysia with professionalism, unity, and pride.”
Malaysia were found to have fielded ineligible players in two matches last year, in breach of Article 56 of the disciplinary and ethics code.
Their 2-0 win over Nepal on March 25 at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium, and the 4-0 victory over Vietnam on June 10 at the National Stadium Bukit Jalil have now been recorded as 0-3 defeats under Article 25.1.
The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) were also fined US$50,000 (RM196,119) for the offence.
With that, Malaysia sit in second place with nine points in Group F, while Vietnam are at the top with 15 points.
Even if they win, Malaysia would still finish behind Vietnam.
Friend said that the team would fight with the same spirit that they have shown throughout last year.
“Our attention is fully focused on preparation for the upcoming match against Vietnam, where the team will compete with the same belief, resilience, and discipline that they have displayed throughout 2025.
“We thank our supporters for their continued belief in the team,” he said.
Seven mixed-heritage players - Facundo Garces, Rodrigo Holgado, Imanol Machuca, Joao Figueiredo, Gabriel Palmero, Jon Irazabal, and Hector Hevel - are banned for 12 months from being fielded after FIFA sanctioned them for falsifying eligibility documents.
