Malaysian newspaper warns FAM not to mass naturalize players just to defeat Vietnam

Malaysian newspaper New Straits Times warns Malaysian football should not continue naturalizing players solely to defeat Vietnam, but must concentrate on building internal capacity and nurturing young talent.

Malaysian football is undergoing a crisis serious following the scandal of illegally naturalizing 7 players of European and American origin, causing the national team to fail in its campaign to secure a ticket for the 2027 Asian finals. Instead of learning from this, information emerged that the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) might continue recruiting naturalized players for short-term gains, prompting many local experts and media to warn about long-term consequences.

New Straits Times argues that continuing naturalization just to defeat Vietnam is a mistake. According to them, Malaysian football needs to focus on reforming its foundation, from the national professional league to youth training, rather than seeking a "quick fix" through naturalized players. "A comprehensive overhaul of the Football Association of Malaysia could bring more benefits than recruiting another foreign striker," the newspaper stated.

The Malaysian newspaper cites top Asian football nations like Japan and South Korea, where success stems from a solid foundation, systematic training programs, and developed school football. Japan, though not renowned for physical prowess, has turned technical sophistication into a potent weapon, enabling players to excel in tactics and professionalism, leading to victories against major teams like Germany, Brazil, or England.

Conversely, New Straits Times emphasizes that Malaysian football is still struggling to find its identity. The quality of the domestic league is declining, youth training programs are ineffective, and the influx of naturalized players forces local talents to the bench. When the national team assembles, many domestic players are called up to shoulder major achievements but lack experience, creating a dangerous dependency on foreign elements.

The newspaper also points out that developing internal strength will not yield immediate results, but is a sustainable path. "Japan can assemble a World Cup squad entirely with players competing in Europe. Malaysia does not need to shortcut via naturalization; it should shed dependency and develop its own identity," New Straits Times stressed.

The lesson drawn from the Malaysian newspaper is clear: long-term success does not come from temporary measures, but from a solid foundation, youth training, and a quality domestic professional league. Instead of naturalizing merely to "beat Vietnam," Malaysian football should aim for substantive development, building internal capacity to compete at continental and global levels.