Manager Ong Kim Swee is reportedly open to the idea of calling naturalized player Kiko Insa to the Malaysia national team.
However, the coach also advises Kiko Insa to get his citizenship certified by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) as soon as possible.
Ong Kim Swee told local newspapers in a press conference that he thought the Spanish-born defender could be a key member of the Malaysia national team if he were included.
“He will be good for us. We know that the defense has caused a lot of problems for us, so his inclusion will help the team”, Ong Kim Swee said.
“Firstly, I have to check to see whether he already possesses a Malaysian passport or not, and then we have to go through a lot of processes”, the coach explained.
“He’s a good player, he would be an important member of the team. But we have to know the status. I cannot simply say “I want him”, only for the AFC to disallow it later”, he added.
A production of the Spanish youth coaching system, Kiko Insa had short stints with various Spanish club before making the move to Southeast Asia. He is eligible to play for Malaysia through his father.