Malaysia unveils a brand-new naturalized player of European descent

The Malaysia national team roster for the September FIFA Days includes a newly naturalized player, Richard Chin.

Richard Chin, a footballer born in Scotland and currently holding British nationality, has been summoned to the Malaysia national team after years of speculation.

This 22-year-old defender is currently playing for Raith Rovers, a club that ranks second in the Scottish Championship.

Malaysia’s head coach, Peter Cklamovski, commented on Richard Chin’s skills and expressed hope that the player will improve during his time with the national team: “He (Chin) demonstrates good movement, ball-handling technique, and speed in his play. These qualities could benefit us. We don’t rely on any single individual, so Chin’s arrival won’t instantly transform the team. However, with his technical skills, physical attributes, and competitive spirit, he will definitely integrate well. Now is the time for Chin to elevate his performance in training to a new level.”

The Malaysia national team will begin training on September 1st in Kuala Lumpur. They will play two friendly matches against Singapore and Palestine.

Compared to the squad that defeated Vietnam 4-0 in June, the "Malayan Tigers" have undergone several changes. Some naturalized players who were controversial regarding their origins or lacked good form, such as Imanol Machuca, Eldstal, and Matthew Davies, are absent. Among them, Imanol Machuca was recently naturalized in June and sparked considerable debate about his background. Conversely, the Australian coach opted to rejuvenate the defense by calling up Richard Chin and Azam Azmi. Sergio Aguero, who missed the June call-up, has also been recalled.

Other familiar names still included are Corbin-Ong, Daniel Ting, Dion Cools, Arif Aman, Paulo Josué, and Endrick Santos – currently playing for Ho Chi Minh City Police FC.

After securing a 4-0 victory over Vietnam in the 2026 Asian Cup qualifiers, Malaysian football has faced turbulent times due to disputes over naturalized players. Recently, the president of the Football Association of Malaysia, Joehari Ayub, is reported to have submitted his resignation.

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