Malaysia head coach Nelo Vingada has announced the 24-man squad for both legs of the 2019 Asian Cup qualifiers against North Korea.
Malaysia Super League champions Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) have dominated the squad, include captain and playmaker Safiq Rahim, striker Ahmad Hazwan Bakri and winger Safawi Rasid.
Notably, five members of the Malaysia U-22 side that reached the final of the Kuala Lumpur’s SEA Games have been given chance to the senior side, namely Safawi, Nor Azam Azih, Adam Nor Azlin, Syamer Kutty Abba and Syafiq Ahmad.
Both legs of the qualifiers will take place at the neutral venue of Thailand’s I-Mobile Stadium.
Full 24-man squad of Malaysia:
Goalkeepers: Izham Tarmizi (Johor Darul Ta’zim), Hafizul Hakim (Perak TBG), Khairul Azhan Khalid (Selangor)
Defenders: Fadhli Shas, Fazly Mazlan, Azrif Nashrulhaq, S. Kunanlan (all Johor Darul Ta’zim), Shahrom Kalam, Nazirul Naim, Amirul Azhan Aznan (all Perak TBG), Adam Nor Azlin (Selangor)
Midfielders: Safiq Rahim, Nazmi Faiz, Safawi Rasid, Afiq Fazail, Junior Eldstal (all Johor Darul Ta’zim), Baddrol Bakhtiar (Kedah), Kiko Insa, Nor Azam Azih (both Pahang), Wan Zack Haikal (FELDA United), Syamer Kutty Abba (Penang)
Forwards: Ahmad Hazwan Bakri, Darren Lok (both Johor Darul Ta’zim), Syafiq Ahmad (Kedah)
