FANS are used to seeing the fellow with the overgrown bushy hair marauding upfield for Malaysia from defence.
But some were not amused when left back La'Vere Corbin-Ong wandered too far, and put the backline in jeopardy.
As Malaysia lost 4-0 to the United Arab Emirates in the pre-World Cup/Asian Cup qualifier in Dubai on Thursday, the 30-year-old Canadian-born was also on the receiving end of some critics.
Corbin admitted his move didn't pay off when UAE scored their second goal through naturalised Brazilian Fabio de Lima in the 83rd minute.
"The team, as a whole, didn't perform well, but if you want to talk about my personal mistakes, you could talk about the second goal maybe.
"The ball was cleared from the corner, it went to de Lima, and when we're in the 83rd minute, if we're going to lose 1-0, might as well push (for equaliser).
"In that moment, I chose to go. De Lima fell back and I pressed, but didn't make the tackle.
"I came from the inside, then the ball went back to de Lima and he finished.
"Football is a game of decisions. I made a decision to go (forward) because in that moment, I thought 1-0 is the same as 2-0 or 3-0, regardless of the goal difference or whatever. The team had to push to get another goal."
On the match against Vietnam on June 11, six-footer Corbin believes that Malaysia will have height advantage.
He said with Dion Cools, Junior Eldstal and Liridon Krasniqi in the team, Malaysia could prove physically stronger against the Golden Dragons in set-pieces. And he hopes to capitalise on his vaunted long-ball throw-ins.
He said Vietnam are a solid team, but it doesn't mean they can't be penetrated.
"They are a team who stay very compact, disciplined. They are hard to break down."
On his backline combination with newcomer Cools (of FC Midtylland), who made his debut for Malaysia against UAE, Corbin admitted that they need more time.
"We haven't had the time to get used to the play, because he (Cools) came to camp a little bit late, and our first pairing was against UAE.
"We tried to speak a lot off the field, but you learn a lot more about a player on the field... how they want to press, in what position and communication.
"But you can see he has a lot of quality and he can bring a lot to the team."