U22 Malaysia only has 19 players available for their opening match at the 2025 SEA Games.

05/12/2025 16:11:00 FieldFrenzy

Two days before the opening match, head coach Nafuzi Zain was still unsure about how many players he would have for the men's football opener.SEA Games 2025Tomorrow at Rajamangala Stadium, Bangkok.

Later, Nafuzi was informed that he would have only 19 players because Super League clubs refused to release three key players: Ubaidullah Shamsul Fazili, Fergus Tierney, and Aliff Izwan Yuslan.

"We just learned the total number of players for the first match is only 19," he said. Coach Nafuzi fears that without Ubaidullah, Tierney, and Aliff, the Malaysia U23 team will lack creativity and tactical balance.

Head coach Nafuzi Zain was informed that only 19 players would be available for the 2025 SEA Games football after Super League clubs refused to release three key players. Photo: Bernama

He said Ubaidullah might join after the match against Laos, Aliff’s participation is uncertain, and Tierney will not be able to participate.

Players constantly joining and leaving the squad depending on club requests forced Nafuzi to adapt training plans "on the fly."

Because SEA Games 2025is not included in the FIFA calendar, Super League clubs are not obligated to release players.

"Sometimes the plans we set do not go as expected because most players are busy playing for their clubs," he said. "We have prepared as well as possible, based on what we have."

U22 Malaysia still brings 'naturalized weapons' to the 2025 SEA Games, despite clubs holding onto their players.

Malaysia’s recent SEA Games performances have often been spoiled by losses on the opening day, and Nafuzi is determined not to repeat that.

Meanwhile, U22 Laos is no longer an easy opponent. Nafuzi watched their narrow 1-2 defeat to U22 Vietnam in the opening match of Group B and was convinced.

"Laos defends very well with many players and counters very quickly. That is their main weapon," he said, also noting that many players Malaysia will face tomorrow have previously met Malaysia’s national team in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers.

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