THE national team are keeping their fingers crossed that they get to play a friendly match against Timor Leste in Singapore just before the AFF Cup competition starts on Dec 5.
However, the strict travel restrictions by the Singapore government could be a major obstacle.
It is learned that the teams will compete under a bubble in the AFF Cup in Singapore. And media personnel are barred from meeting the teams at the training venues and hotels.
FA of Malaysia (FAM) secretary-general Saifuddin Abu Bakar said Brunei's withdrawal from the AFF Cup play-off against Timor Leste on Dec 1 has left a vacant match day that Malaysia can utilise.
"We hope to play a friendly game before starting our (AFF Cup) campaign. Brunei have pulled out, so Timor Leste are free to play a friendly. However, we need to get consent from the hosts to play the friendly game, so we made a request."
Saifuddin also revealed that the Youth and Sports Ministry has given the green light to FAM to bid for the hosting of the 2023 AFC Under-23 Asian Cup qualifiers.