KUALA LUMPUR – Three JDT players have been released from Harimau Malaya’s national squad as they prepare for a Tier 1 friendly match against India in Hyderabad on Monday.
The released players include defenders Matthew Davies, Muhammad Feroz Baharudin, and star winger Arif Aiman Mohd Hanapi. Their absence reduces the travelling squad to 23 players.
According to the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM), JDT requested the release due to their upcoming Malaysia Cup first-round match against Kuala Lumpur Rovers FC on Wednesday.
“The request was made as the Harimau Malaya squad will return home on Wednesday morning after the match against India, which would make the three players unavailable for the club’s fixture,” FAM said in a statement.
However, JDT goalkeeper Ahmad Syihan Hazmi Mohamed will remain with Harimau Malaya and join the squad flying to Hyderabad from Bangkok tonight.
Malaysia will face India at Gachibowli Stadium, aiming to build on their 3-1 victory against Laos in an international friendly at PAT Stadium, Bangkok, on Thursday.
These matches are part of head coach Pau Marti Vicente’s preparations for the 2024 Asean Championship, which kicks off next month. — November 16, 2024