Malaysia likely to lose 7 key players for SEA Games 33

By Hoang An December 2, 2025 | 12:50 am PT

As clubs refuse to release players, Malaysia U22 are likely to miss seven key players when the team compete in men's football at SEA Games 33 in Thailand.

Malaysia U22 coach Nafuzi Zain admitted he was "losing sleep" before the opening match of Group B against Laos on Dec. 6. According to him, these seven players "almost certainly cannot participate" in the tournament, while two of them, from domestic side Selangor, have a higher chance to join, as the club and the Football Association of Malaysia are still finding a solution.

"We need the best players," Zain told Berita Harian. "SEA Games is not on FIFA international break so clubs have the right to keep their players, but I hope they will consider it, especially in this very important opening match."

Fergus Tierney (number 22) is one of the seven Malaysia players that are most likely to be absent from SEA Games 33. Photo by Instagram/@fergus.tierney

Fergus Tierney (number 22) is one of the seven Malaysia players that are likely to be absent from SEA Games 33. Photo by Instagram/@fergus.tierney

Ubaidullah Shamsul Fazili, Fergus Tierney, Muhammad Abu Khalil, Haqimi Azim Rosli and Aliff Izwan Yuslan are the remaining five players who have difficulties participating in the SEA Games. These players are on Malaysia's preliminary list, with some being members of the national team.

The lack of personnel forced Malaysia to practice in unfavorable conditions. Some players called up had to travel constantly between the U22 team and their clubs for domestic league matches. This affected the quality of the training sessions, while there was little time left to prepare for the tournament.

Malaysia had unsuccessful runs in both the ASEAN U23 Championship and the U23 Asian Cup qualifiers in July and September. In the match against Laos on Dec. 6, coach Zain and the team have to win to keep their hopes of advancing. Under the new format, only the group winners and the best second-placed team will enter the semi-finals.

Despite the difficulties, good spirit is still maintained within the team. Center-back Ahmad Aysar Hadi said the team hopes for a "miracle" to get the best squad possible at the last minute.

After facing Laos, Malaysia will play Vietnam on Dec. 11 in Bangkok.

The last time Malaysia won a SEA Games gold medal was in 2011, when they beat Indonesia in a penalty shootout in Jakarta.