KUALA LUMPUR: The request to release three Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) players from the Harimau Malaya squad stems from travel arrangements for JDT’s upcoming AFC Champions League Elite (ACL Elite) Group A match against Shandong Taishan in Jinan on Nov 26.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, JDT Chief Executive Officer Alistair Edwards stated that the team is scheduled to depart for China on Nov 21, just a day after the players return from national team duty following Harimau Malaya’s international friendly against India in Hyderabad on Nov 18. JDT reached an agreement with the national team setup to retain goalkeeper Syihan Hazmi with Harimau Malaya, as the Southern Tigers have employed Andoni Zubiaurre in the ACL Elite matches so far.

Edwards expressed gratitude to National Team Head Coach Pau Marti Vicente and the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) for their support in the ACL Elite. He reiterated JDT’s commitment to assist Malaysia’s efforts to qualify for the 2027 Asian Cup. He further emphasized that
JDT is taking the continent’s elite competition seriously after significant investments this season, hoping for a successful campaign to elevate the club’s status in Asia and improve Malaysia’s ranking in Asian club football.

In a statement earlier today, FAM announced the release of three players, defenders Matthew Davies and Muhammad Feroz Baharudin, along with winger Arif Aiman Mohd Hanapi, from the squad ahead of the national team’s Tier 1 international friendly against India. This decision leaves 23 players in the team. The request was made by JDT in anticipation of their Malaysia Cup first-round match against Kuala Lumpur Rovers FC on Nov 20.

Vicente’s squad, who will face India at the Gachibowli Stadium, aims for another victory following their 3-1 win over Laos in a previous Tier 1 international friendly at the PAT Stadium in Bangkok. These matches are part of Vicente’s strategy to prepare the team for the upcoming 2024 ASEAN Championship next month.