KUALA LUMPUR: The FA of Malaysia's (FAM) decision to release three Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) players from the national team could open up playing chances for other players in the squad.
National coach Pau Marti Vicente has decided to bring only 23 players to Hyderabad for their match against India and has allowed Arif Aiman Hanapi, Matthew Davies and Feroz Baharudin to return to JDT.
Malaysian football great Datuk Jamal Nasir Ismail said this is the time for the rest of the players to secure their place in the squad for the Asean Cup which starts next month.
"This is a chance for the players on the bench and the young players to show their talent. When I was playing, if the coach gave me a chance, I would take it," said Nasir today.
"I would go all out to the extent that the starting players would end up on the bench. We have to show what we are capable of.
"If you are content to sit on the bench, that means you do not have the drive to be better than the main players.
"This is the time for the reserve players and the youngsters to show they are better than Aiman, better than Feroz.
"Show your talent, otherwise how are young going to remain in the national team?"
FAM yesterday disclosed that the trio were released following a request from their club.
The Southern Tigers are set to face Chinese giants Shandong Taishan in a crucial AFC Champions League Elite (ACLE) encounter on Nov 25, with the team departing for China on Thursday.
Goalkeeper Ahmad Syihan Hazmi Mohamed, however, remains in the squad as Andoni Zubiaurre is JDT's first choice keeper for their ACLE campaign.