KUALA LUMPUR: Three Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) players were released from Harimau Malaya as the national squad prepares for a Tier 1 friendly match against India in Hyderabad on Monday.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the three players released on the request of JDT are two defenders, Matthew Davies and Muhammad Feroz Baharudin, as well as winger Arif Aiman Mohd Hanapi. Consequently, only 23 players will be flying to India.

The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) reported that the request by JDT follows the first round 2024/2025 Malaysia Cup match against Kuala Lumpur Rovers FC on Wednesday. JDT made the request considering the Harimau Malaya squad will be returning home on Wednesday morning after the match against India, making the players unavailable for the club.

However, another JDT player, goalkeeper Ahmad Syihan Hazmi Mohamed, will join the 23-men Harimau Malaya squad to fly to Hyderabad from Bangkok tonight. Malaysia is scheduled to meet India at Gachibowli Stadium, aiming for another win after t
he squad under Pau Marti Vicente defeated Laos 3-1 in an international friendly game at PAT Stadium, Bangkok on Thursday.

The matches against Laos and India this month are part of the preparations by Vicente to get the team ready for the 2024 ASEAN Championship scheduled to start next month.