CAN Malaysia win a medal in the Under-23 football competition at the Vietnam Sea Games on May 6-22?
It will very much depend on the M-League clubs' willingness to release players for the biennial Games.
Malaysia are in Group B with former champions Thailand, Cambodia, Singapore and Laos, while hosts Vietnam, Indonesia, Myanmar, Timor Leste and the Philippines make up Group A.
Despite the uncertainty, coach Brad Maloney still targets a positive outing in Vietnam.
The Sea Games will serve as his team's final tune-up for the Under-23 Asian Cup in Uzbekistan on June 1-19.
In the 2019 Sea Games in the Philippines, Malaysia, who fielded their under-19 team, failed to reach the semi-finals.
However, it became a valuable outing for the players as they made amends by qualifying for the Under-23 Asian Cup through the qualifiers in May last year.
Maloney said if everything works in his favour, his team will achieve a positive outing in Vietnam.
The Australian coach also added that a lot is at stake with the Under-23 Asian Cup scheduled less than a month after the Sea Games.
"If we can get the core players, we will do well in the Sea Games. However, for that to happen, we need the cooperation of the M-League teams," said Maloney yesterday.
"We have had positive discussions with the clubs.
"I think to get as many core players for the Sea Games is crucial ahead of the Under-23 Asian Cup."
Malaysia last won the Sea Games title at the 2011 Indonesia edition. Their best recent result was the silver medal effort at the 2017 Kuala Lumpur Games.
Maloney said Thailand and Vietnam are the favourites for the Sea Games title.
"Thailand will be strong as they have several players plying their trade in Europe. Defending champions Vietnam will be aiming for bragging rights as well.
"We cannot discount the Philippines as they have naturalised players, while Cambodia and Laos are showing progress with their youth players.
"Although teams are allowed to register two overage players, we will not take that option. I want to prepare my players for the Under-23 Asian Cup," he added.