KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian football must question whether the Asean Cup remains a priority, warns football pundit Datuk Richard Scully.
Scully, a former state footballer, has raised concerns about a perceived lack of commitment to Harimau Malaya, as players juggle club obligations with national duty.
Despite the Asean Cup falling outside the FIFA international match window, Scully stressed that the tournament offers valuable world ranking points, which he believes should not be overlooked.
"The Malaysian Football League (MFL) and the FA of Malaysia (FAM) haven't treated this matter with the seriousness it deserves," said Scully.
"In the past, national duty came first. Clubs had to release players, even during FIFA windows. But somewhere along the way, that priority seems to have faded."
He called for stricter policies to ensure players fully commit to the national team, warning that failure to answer a call-up should result in punishment.
"If a player is registered for national duty, it shouldn't matter what's happening domestically – they must answer the call.
"Failure to do so should result in consequences. It's like going to war. If soldiers refuse to answer, they're court-martialed. Football needs a decisive approach like that," said Scully.
While acknowledging the growing commercial focus in football, he argued that national representation must remain a top priority.
"Some might say it's all about business now, but national team call-ups are non-negotiable. If the Asean Cup isn't important, why does FIFA classify it as an 'A' match and award world ranking points? We're wasting opportunities," he said.
Scully also highlighted Malaysia's inconsistent performances in the Asean Cup, including a narrow 3-2 win over Timor Leste on Wednesday, as evidence of the consequences of neglecting national team priorities.
"At this rate, people won't buy into the results, and questions will pile up. Both the MFL and FAM must answer for this," he added.
The long-term goal for Harimau Malaya is to become Asian Cup regulars and eventually qualify for the World Cup.
However, Scully believes the Asean Cup, with its ranking points, is a crucial stepping stone in that journey.
Ahead of their clash with Thailand tomorrow, caretaker coach Pau Marti Vicente faces player shortages, with four Sabah players – Stuart Wilkin, Dominic Tan, Darren Lok, and Daniel Ting – recalled for their Malaysia Cup quarter-final against Kuching City.
Injuries have also sidelined JDT's Syafiq Ahmad, while Penang's Syamer Kutty Abba and Adib Ra'op were not available for the Timor Leste match due to club commitments.
However, Syamer and Adib have rejoined Harimau Malaya for the match against Thailand in Bangkok.
A total of 21 players are available for selection for the game.
Malaysia lead Group A with four points but have played one game more than defending champions Thailand and Singapore, who both have three points.