Bandung:Newly capped defender Brad Tapp believes Malaysia's football squad is rich in talent, with many players deserving more recognition for their efforts during the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 campaign.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Tapp's initial matches with the Malaysian team have given him insight into the depth of quality beyond the well-known stars such as winger Arif Aiman Mohd Hanapi. He emphasized that many players contribute significantly to the team's success but do not receive the spotlight they deserve.

The 25-year-old Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) player remarked that the team performed exceptionally well, scoring nine goals and conceding none in the group stage. Tapp highlighted the importance of both attack and defense in achieving these results.

Tapp, who debuted internationally for Malaysia in this tournament, noted the promising future for the national team with the inclusion of young players and newcomers like himself, Fergus Tierney, and Manuel Hidalgo. He expressed confidence in the team's preparedness and determination to perform their best in any tournament or match.

Having previously played for the Australian club Central Coast Mariners, Tapp shared his gratitude for the warm welcome he received from the squad under interim head coach Tan Cheng Hoe, acknowledging the potential for further achievements.

Tapp's Malaysian-Australian heritage is through his mother, who was born in Penang and raised in Butterworth before moving to Australia. He contributed to Malaysia's 3-0 victory over Bangladesh in their opening Division 1 Group A match, followed by a goalless draw against Indonesia and a 6-0 win over Singapore in Bandung.

Malaysia is set to face Vietnam this evening at the Gelora Bung Karno (GBK) Stadium in the third-place playoff.