KUALA LUMPUR — Luka Hodak has been given the green light by his father, Bojan Hodak, to represent Malaysia, paving the way for a potential call-up to the national under-19 squad.
The 18-year-old midfielder, who is currently playing for NK Trnje’s youth side in Zagreb, is now in the frame for selection ahead of the 2027 AFC Under-20 Asian Cup qualifiers in August — contingent on his performances at club level.
Bojan, a highly respected figure in Malaysian football, confirmed there are no barriers from the family’s side should the national team come calling.
“Luka is playing regular football with NK Trnje, which is also the club where I started my professional career,” said Hodak when contacted.
“My wife is Malaysian and Luka was born in Malaysia. He has a Malaysian passport, and if he gets the call-up, we will allow him to join the training camps.
“We have no issues with him representing Malaysia.”
Luka’s potential inclusion comes at a pivotal moment, with Malaysia seeking to rebuild following the senior team’s failure to qualify for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup.
The under-20 campaign is increasingly viewed as a foundation for the country’s long-term revival.
Despite the national opportunity, Luka’s development pathway remains firmly in Europe. Plans are already in place for him to further both his education and football career in Spain, ensuring he continues to gain valuable exposure.
“He is improving well. I recently included him in Persib’s youth training and he fitted in comfortably,” Bojan added.
“He will be going to Spain for his tertiary studies and will be playing for a club there. The aim is for him to get regular minutes and keep developing.”
Luka also benefits from a strong footballing lineage. Bojan enjoyed significant success in Malaysia, notably guiding Kelantan to a historic domestic treble in 2012 before leading Johor Darul Ta’zim to their maiden Super League title in 2014.
He later steered Kuala Lumpur City to Malaysia Cup glory in 2021 and an AFC Cup final appearance in 2022, before continuing his success with Indonesian side Persib Bandung, where he secured back-to-back Liga 1 titles in the 2023–2024 and 2024–2025 seasons.
With the green light now firmly in place, all eyes will be on Luka as he looks to earn his chance in Malaysian colours. – April 7, 2026