Nam Dinh unexpectedly benefits as Malaysia receives a severe FIFA penalty

The trio of Figueiredo, Iraurgui, and Hevel from Johor Darul Ta’zim are confronted with a 12-month suspension from FIFA, providing a major edge to Nam Dinh Club in the Southeast Asian Club Cup.

On February 5, 2026, Nam Dinh Steel Club will compete against Malaysia’s top team, Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT), in the Southeast Asian Club Championship. However, recent developments involving FIFA’s sanctions on Malaysian football may create a substantial advantage for the Nam Dinh team.

According to FIFA’s ruling, three important naturalized players of JDT—Joao Figueiredo, Iker Iraurgui, and Hector Hevel—face a 12-month playing ban. This is a consequence of investigations into irregularities in player registration and naturalization processes within Malaysian football.

This news promises to favor Nam Dinh Club. The Vietnamese representative, previously considered inferior to JDT in terms of international experience and squad quality, now has a chance to surprise as JDT’s naturalized players face a year-long suspension.

For JDT, this undoubtedly deals a severe blow to the strength of Malaysia’s top club. Over many years, the Malaysian team has been known for its quality foreign players, and adding these three naturalized players as locals gave JDT a huge advantage in both continental and regional competitions.

The Southeast Asian Club Cup allows a maximum of seven foreign players, so the quality of local players is crucial for progressing far in the tournament. Losing all three of these key "local" players simultaneously forces Malaysia’s top club to urgently find replacements in the near future.

Nevertheless, Nam Dinh must remain cautious. JDT still boasts many quality stars in their squad, including foreign players with experience in major tournaments. Their international class and experience remain a significant challenge for any opponent in Southeast Asia.

The match against Johor Darul Ta’zim in the Southeast Asian Club Cup is not only a key group stage encounter but also a benchmark for Nam Dinh’s strength in their regional campaign. With the unexpected advantage from FIFA’s sanctions, coach Vu Hong Viet’s team can confidently aim for a positive result against Malaysia’s football powerhouse.