KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 5 (Bernama) -- Selangor FC defender Harith Haiqal Adam Afkar and Johor Darul Ta'zim II goalkeeper Muhammad Haziq Aiman Mohd Esa are among the newcomers called up by Harimau Malaya head coach Pau Marti Vicente for the 2024 ASEAN Championship from Sunday (Dec 8)-Jan 5, 2025.
Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) said Harith Haiqal, 22, will replace Negeri Sembilan FC's 24-year-old Muhammad Harith Samsuri (injured), while Haziq Aiman, 19, will take over from Terengganu FC's 23-year-old Muhammad Rahadiazli Rahalim (health issues).
"Another player, 19-year-old Mohammad Haykal Danish Mohd Haizon, of Selangor FC's Under-23 squad, has also been called up to join the Harimau Malaya squad as a backup in case of emergency or injuries to other players,” FAM said in a statement today.
Meanwhile, FAM also said that the final 26-player list to be registered for the 2024 ASEAN Championship campaign will only be finalised on Saturday (Dec 7), a day before Malaysia's Group A opening match against Cambodia at the Olympic Stadium in Phnom Penh.
The Harimau Malaya squad will then meet Timor-Leste at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil on Wednesday (Dec 11), defending champions Thailand in Bangkok (Dec 14) and Singapore at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil (Dec 20).
Malaysia won the tournament, which was previously known as the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Cup, in 2010.
-- BERNAMA
