KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian football team have seen their share of naturalised players, including heritage footballers, over the years, but not all have lived up to expectations.
Former national striker Datuk Dollah Salleh reminded the football community that only players who can make a difference should wear the national jersey.
Dollah cautioned against the hasty inclusion of players just because they have Malaysian roots or play for foreign clubs.
"Our problem is that we often overestimate players with Malaysian ancestry just because they play abroad. We need to be realistic — some of them are part of ordinary teams in foreign leagues," said Dollah.
He urged against the blind recruitment of naturalised players, stressing that local talent is often just as capable of representing the nation.
"Don't blindly recruit anyone just because they are playing for foreign clubs. The same goes for foreign-born players.
"I believe our local players are just as good to represent the country," he added.
His comments come in light of FA of Malaysia (FAM) president Datuk Hamidin Amin's recent announcement that United States-based Wan Kuzain Wan Kamal could soon don the national colours.
Wan Kuzain, who plays for St Louis City II in the MLS Next Pro, has reportedly applied for a Malaysian passport. – BERNAMA