KUALA LUMPUR – Johor Darul Ta’zim’s (JDT) demanding November schedule has prompted interim Harimau Malaya head coach Tan Cheng Hoe to leave several of the club’s key players out of his 24-man squad for the upcoming international friendlies in China.
Cheng Hoe said the decision was made after taking into consideration JDT’s commitments across four crucial fixtures this month, involving the Asian Champions League Elite (ACLE), Asean Club Championship Shopee Cup and Malaysia Cup FA Cup semi-finals.
He explained that the move would allow JDT to manage its congested fixture schedule while concentrating on its continental campaign, where the club has an opportunity to secure valuable points for Malaysia in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Member Association (MA) rankings.
“JDT have four important matches this month, involving the ACLE, Shopee Cup and FA Cup semi-finals.
“Besides giving the club room to manage its demanding schedule, I have also considered the importance of allowing them to focus fully on their commitments in Asian competitions.
“This is because JDT have an opportunity to increase Malaysia’s points tally in the MA rankings, which would benefit the country’s standing in Asian football,” he told Scoop when contacted.
The absence of several JDT regulars, however, has created an opportunity for other players to stake their claim for places in the national team, with Cheng Hoe adopting a broader selection approach ahead of the two friendlies.
Two newcomers have also earned places in the 24-man squad, which will face China on November 14 before taking on Yemen three days later, on November 17.
Cheng Hoe said the latest selection was aimed at giving more players the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities, quality and suitability for international football.
“For these two friendlies in China, I have decided to give more players an opportunity, including two newcomers, to be part of the Harimau Malaya squad.
“I want to assess their abilities, quality and suitability for international football, as well as how well they can adapt to the team’s playing style and tactical demands,” he said.
Of the 24 players selected, 11 were part of the Harimau Malaya squad that competed in the 2026 FIFA Asean Cup in Indonesia, while another 11 have earned recalls, including three players who featured in the 2026 Hyundai Asean Cup.
According to Cheng Hoe, the two matches in China would also provide an important opportunity to broaden his selection options, particularly with the next FIFA international window not scheduled until March 2027.
He wants to make full use of the upcoming training period to assess individual performances, build understanding between players and strengthen the team’s tactical cohesion ahead of the 2030 World Cup/2032 Asian Cup qualifying campaign. – November 4, 2026