Who has Malaysia boss Kim Pan-gon picked for the 2022 AFF Championship?
Malaysia are one of four Southeast Asian countries to have won the AFF Championship at least once.
They have not won it since 2010, though, and were even unable to make it out of the group stages altogether during the 2020 edition in Singapore, which took place in 2021 after a one-year deal due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The heavy 4-1 defeat at the hands of arch-rivals Indonesia in particular will have hurt and they will be desperate to do better this time around.
A tough task awaits in Group B, however, as Malaysia will have to deal with the likes of Vietnam, Singapore, Myanmar and Laos.
Who are the players in line to represent them at this year's tournament, though?
Let's take a look at the men at Kim Pan-gon's disposal after the withdrawal of 12 players due to personal reasons or clubs' decision not to release their stars.
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GOALKEEPERS
Two of the three goalkeepers in Malaysia's squad haven't played a single international game at senior level in their careers, with the likes of Kalamullah Al-Hafiz and Rahadiazli Rahalim both hoping to make their senior debut come December.
That makes Syihan Hazmi the only option with some international experience at senior level, although even the Perak man only has a couple of caps under his belt.
| Name |
Club |
| Syihan Hazmi |
Perak |
| Rahadiazli Rahalim |
Terengganu FC |
| Kalamullah Al-Hafiz |
Petaling Jaya City |
- Vân Gabi
DEFENDERS
Malaysia will have to make do without the likes of experienced defenders Matthew Davies, La'Vere Corbin-Ong, Dion Cools and Shahrul Saad, who would normally all have been strong candidates to start.
Dominic Tan will lead Malaysia's defence at centre-back with the relatively inexperienced Khuzaimi Piee.
Quentin Cheng and Fazly Mazlan could get their chance to shine out wide.
Meanwhile, Selangor's Sharul Nazeem offers a younger alternative with Azam Azmi and could be needed as a substitute in most games.
| Name |
Club |
| Sharul Nazeem |
Selangor FC |
| Dominic Tan |
Sabah FC |
| Khuzaimi Piee |
Perak |
| Azam Azmi |
Terengganu FC |
| Quentin Cheng |
Selangor |
| Fazly Mazlan |
Selangor |
| Ruventhiran Vengadesan |
PJ City |
- FAM
MIDFIELDERS
There's a nice combination of youth and experience available in midfield.
Mukhairi Ajmal and Aliff Haiqal are both still under the age of 23, while Brendan Gan is an experienced figure in midfield.
| Name |
Club |
| Brendan Gan |
Selangor |
| Mukhairi Ajmal |
Selangor |
| Aliff Haiqal |
Selangor |
| Stuart Wilkin |
Johor Darul Ta'zim II |
| Lee Tuck |
Sri Pahang |
| David Rowley |
Sri Pahang |
- AFF
ATTACKERS
Safawi Rasid is the standout name in attack, with the new Ratchaburi signing one of Malaysia's undisputed star players.
Darren Lok and Sergio Ezequiel Aguero are two of the players who were born and raised abroad, but now represent Malaysia at international level.
| Name |
Club |
| Darren Lok |
Petaling Jaya City FC |
| Haqimi Rosli |
Kuala Lumpur FC |
| Sergio Ezequiel Aguero |
Sri Pahang |
| Safawi Rasid |
Johor Darul Ta'zim |
| Faisal Halim |
Terengganu |
| Shamie Iszuan |
Sarawak United |
| Nor Hakim |
Selangor |
