Malaysia national team has announced 27 players in the squad for the International Friendly ‘A’ Match against New Zealand on 14 October 2024 at North Harbour Stadium, Auckland
This friendly serves as an essential opportunity for head coach Pau Marti to continue fine-tuning his squad ahead of upcoming international competitions.
Pau Marti has opted to retain 23 players from the squad that recently triumphed in the 2024 Merdeka Tournament. This decision reflects his confidence in the core of the team that overcame the Philippines 2-1 in the semi-finals and defeated Lebanon 1-0 in the final, both played at the National Stadium, Bukit Jalil in early September. The victory in the Merdeka Tournament demonstrated the strength and resilience of the team, and Pau Marti appears keen to build on that momentum.
Among the notable additions to the squad is Sabah FC’s Stuart Wilkin. The talented midfielder, who missed out on the Merdeka Tournament, has been called up, bringing a fresh dynamic to the midfield. Wilkin’s strong performances in the domestic league and his versatility on the field make him a valuable asset for this crucial friendly.
Joining Wilkin are three new faces, including Selangor FC goalkeeper Azim Al Amin, and two promising young talents from Malaysia’s U19 squad, who recently competed in the AFC U20 Asian Cup 2025 Qualifiers in Tajikistan. The inclusion of JDT II’s goalkeeper, Haziq Aiman, and Selangor FC II’s midfielder, Haykal Danish, showcases Marti’s long-term vision to integrate emerging players into the senior squad, offering them exposure and experience at the highest level.
List of 27 Players for the International Friendly
Syihan Hazmi (Johor Darul Ta’zim)
Matthew Davies (Johor Darul Ta’zim)
Feroz Baharudin (Johor Darul Ta’zim)
La’Vere Corbin-Ong (Johor Darul Ta’zim)
Arif Aiman (Johor Darul Ta’zim)
Romel Morales (Johor Darul Ta’zim)
Haziq Aiman (Johor Darul Ta’zim II)
Safawi Rasid (Terengganu FC)
Akhyar Rashid (Terengganu FC)
Safwan Mazlan (Terengganu FC)
Azam Azmi Murad (Terengganu FC)
Dominic Tan (Sabah FC)
Daniel Ting (Sabah FC)
Darren Lok (Sabah FC)
Stuart Wilkin (Sabah FC)
Nooa Laine (Selangor FC)
Harith Haiqal (Selangor FC)
Azim Al Amin (Selangor FC)
Haykal Danish (Selangor FC II)
Azri Ab Ghani (Kuala Lumpur City)
Paulo Josue (Kuala Lumpur City)
Haqimi Azim Rosli (Kuala Lumpur City)
Syamer Kutty Abba (Penang FC)
Adib Ra’op (Penang FC)
Syafiq Ahmad (Kedah Darul Aman)
Dion Cools (Buriram United)
Endrick Dos Santos (Ho Chi Minh City)
The 27-man squad consists of a well-rounded mix of experienced players and rising stars. Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT), Malaysia’s domestic powerhouse, is heavily represented with seven players, including key names like Syihan Hazmi, La’Vere Corbin-Ong, Arif Aiman, and Romel Morales. JDT’s strong contingent reflects the club’s continued dominance in Malaysian football, contributing a solid backbone to the national team.
Also noteworthy are the inclusions of seasoned internationals such as Dion Cools (Buriram United) and Endrick Dos Santos (Ho Chi Minh City), both of whom bring international experience from playing in foreign leagues, adding depth and a global perspective to the squad. Their presence is expected to bolster Malaysia’s defense and midfield, respectively.
The Harimau Malaya squad is set to depart for Auckland on 6 October 2024, where they will undergo a week-long centralized training camp ahead of the friendly in 14 October.
Credit Photo : FAM
