Malaysian media expresses concern over Vietnam's squad of naturalized players.
Astro Arena predicts that the Vietnamese national team's strength will skyrocket thanks to the addition of seven quality naturalized players ahead of their rematch in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers.
Malaysian media are expressing particular caution regarding the changes in the Vietnamese national team's lineup. According to analysis from Astro Arena, the direct confrontation on March 31st will be an extreme challenge for Malaysia, as coach Kim Sang-sik has a significantly deeper squad thanks to his naturalization policy.
Coach Kim Sang-sik's formidable squad of naturalized players.
The strength of the "Golden Star Warriors" lies not only in the reliability of goalkeeper Nguyen Filip or the brilliant form of striker Nguyen Xuan Son – who recently played a major role in Vietnam's victory at the 2024 AFF Cup. According to Astro Arena, this list is expected to be supplemented with 5 new faces who have proven their class in the V-League.
Specifically, this group of new recruits includes goalkeeper Patrik Lê Giang (who has both Vietnamese and Slovakian heritage) and Brazilian foreign players who have resided in Vietnam for over 5 years: Hendrio Araujo (Vietnamese name: Đỗ Hoàng Hên), Gustavo Sant'Ana (Đỗ Phi Long), Janclesio Almeida, and Geovane Magno.
The advantage of experience and top form.
Experts in Malaysia emphasize that this group of naturalized players not only have transparent legal records, fully complying with FIFA regulations, but are also at the peak of their careers."They are all between 31 and 33 years old, an age when players are at the peak of their form. This is certainly a new resource for coach Kim Sang-sik to elevate the national team.", Astro Arena commented.
It is expected that during the FIFA Days in March, coach Kim Sang-sik will prioritize using Patrik Le Giang and Do Hoang Hen. The remaining players will be called up depending on the progress of completing the final legal procedures. This move shows Vietnam's determination to turn the tide in continental football.
A dramatic race unfolds in Group F of the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers.
Currently, the situation in Group F is tilted in favor of Malaysia, who lead with 15 points, 3 points ahead of Vietnam, and with a significant advantage in goal difference (+14 compared to +6). To secure qualification as group winners, the Vietnamese team must aim for a resounding victory against their opponent in the upcoming rematch.
This match is seen as a crucial turning point for both teams' ambitions in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers. With the addition of quality naturalized players, coach Kim Sang-sik has key players to achieve his goal of securing all three points at home.
