Southeast Asian fans collectively erupted as Malaysia was without 7 naturalized stars in the match against Vietnam

The ruling that 7 Malaysian naturalized players do not meet the criteria to play for the national team ignited widespread controversy across Southeast Asian football communities before their match against Vietnam.

The dispute involving FIFA, the Football Association of Malaysia, and the group of seven naturalized players reached a decisive stage when brought before the Court of Arbitration for Sport. While awaiting the final verdict, the AFC confirmed these players are only allowed to compete at club leveland are prohibited from participating at the national team level.

This news immediately shocked the region. On Thai football forums, a fan commented: “Rules are rules; if the legal requirements aren’t met, they cannot represent the national team. This decision is completely justified.” Another user from Indonesia wrote: “AFC acted correctly; leniency would set a dangerous precedent for the entire region.”

Meanwhile, many Vietnamese fans believe their team holds a significant advantage ahead of the match in Nam Dinh. One comment gained widespread support: “Without these 7 key naturalized players, Malaysia is definitely weakened. Vietnam has an 80% chance of winning.” Another opinion was even more confident: “Without this group of players, Malaysia will struggle to make breakthroughs. A 3-0 win for Vietnam is reasonable.”

Even some Malaysian supporters admitted that the national team will face difficulties. A social media user wrote: “If CAS does not overturn the ruling, we must accept reality and rebuild from within.” However, there were opposing views: “We are being treated too harshly; if players are allowed to play for clubs, they should also be eligible for the national team.”

Regional observers noted that the absence of these seven players will directly impact Malaysia’s style of play, especially in crucial attacking and midfield positions. Meanwhile, Vietnam boasts a stable lineup, accustomed to playing together and enjoying home advantage.

Many predictions from Southeast Asian fans heavily favor the home team at Thien Truong. A Filipino supporter commented: “Vietnam is at a strong point, Malaysia has lost key players, I think the score could be 4-1.” Some even boldly predicted: “Without those 7 players, Malaysia will struggle to hold on; Vietnam could win by a margin of three to four goals.”

Although the final CAS decision is still pending, the provisional ruling by FIFA and AFC has completely altered the situation before the match. For many regional fans, this is a great opportunity for Vietnam to assert their position and secure all three points.