Kuala Lumpur: National head coach Tan Cheng Hoe strongly believes that only time will tell if the three naturalised players would bring about the expected impact to the Harimau Malaya squad as they embark on their mission for the World Cup 2022 and Asian Cup 2023 qualifiers in Dubai, Emiriah Arab Bersatu (UAE).
The squad will start the remainder of the Group G matches by playing against UAE on Thursday, before taking on Vietnam and Thailand on June 11 and 15 respectively.
Cheng Hoe said the situation was quite easy for the country’s first naturalised player, Mohamadou Sumareh of Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT), who was called to join the national squad for the qualifying campaign which began in September 2019, to get the rhythm of the game.
However, it was not the case for the other two new naturalised players, Liridon Krasniqi, who played in the Australian professional league with Newcastle Jets, and JDT striker Guilherme De Paula.
“But both of them (Liridon dan De Paula) are trying their best in every game or training session. They give 100 per cent commitment and cooperation as a team.
“I think the trio (naturalised players) can make the best contribution to the squad this time around,” he told a virtual press conference here.
On Sunday, national football legend, Datuk Santokh Singh expressed his disappointment with the performance of naturalised players in Harimau Malaya’s two recent international friendlies, which they lost.
The former national and Selangor defender also questioned the need for the national team to use the services of naturalised players, who he said have not made any major impact on the international stage.
Harimau Malaya lost 1-4 to Kuwait in a warm-up match in Dubai last week before losing to Bahrain 0-2 in Tier 1 international friendly at the Bahrain National Stadium in Riffa on Saturday.
However, Brazilian-born De Paula, 34, scored in the match against Kuwait when making his debut as a naturalised player in the national team.
Malaysia, which currently in second place of Group G, need to get to the top spot to ensure a safe path in the 2023 Asian Cup finals and the third round qualifiers of the 2022 World Cup.
