Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) is on the brink of completing the process getting Malaysian passports for a key legacy player of Dutch descent, as confirmed by Harimau Malaya’s Chief Executive Officer, Rob Friend.
This strategic move is part of Malaysia’s broader effort to strengthen the national football squad ahead of the AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers in March.
In a statement shared on his Instagram page, Rob Friend revealed:
“The process of obtaining Malaysian passports for players of Dutch heritage is now in the final stages. Three other players are also in the process of obtaining citizenship.”
Friend emphasized the importance of widening the player pool through naturalisation to elevate Harimau Malaya’s performance on the international stage.
“We hope to take a strong step forward when the 2027 Asian Cup Qualifiers begin in March, and having a wider selection of these legacy players will enhance our aspirations to take Harimau Malaya to the next level.”
Despite the push for naturalisation, Friend reaffirmed FAM’s commitment to nurturing homegrown players:
“While naturalisation is an important component of our strategy, we understand the importance of nurturing local talent to ensure sustainable success for the national team. Our goal is to create a balanced and competitive squad that represents the pride and spirit of Malaysian football.”
Credit Photo : FAM
