KUALA LUMPUR: Striker Syafiq Ahmad is set to return to the Harimau Malaya team after a 17-month hiatus.
He is eager for Merdeka Tournament action after missing the World Cup qualifiers against Kyrgyzstan and Taiwan in June.
The 29-year-old's last international appearances were in March 2023, when he played a combined 40 minutes in friendlies against Turkmenistan and Hong Kong.
The Kedah forward has netted 10 goals and provided five assists for Harimau Malaya in 36 matches.
Syafiq aims to penetrate the Philippines defence in a Merdeka Tournament match on Sept 4 at the National Stadium.
If Malaysia beat the Philippines, they will face Lebanon or Tajikistan in the final on Sept 8.