Indonesian football analyst Aris Budi Sulistyo has issued a stark warning to the Garuda squad amid the rapid rise of Malaysia’s player naturalization program. With Malaysia now accelerating efforts to strengthen its national team through foreign-born talent, Indonesia and other ASEAN nations are being urged to take note — and remain vigilant.
Malaysia’s Ambitious Drive to Close the Gap with Indonesia
In recent months, the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) has doubled down on its naturalization policy in an attempt to catch up with regional rivals, particularly Indonesia. FAM’ѕ objective is сlеаr: to elevate thе реrfоrmаnсе оf the Mаlауѕіа nаtіоnаl tеаm (Harimau Mаlауа) аnd prevent thеm from falling bеhіnd in the іnсrеаѕіnglу соmреtіtіvе Sоuthеаѕt Asian football lаndѕсаре.
This ѕtrаtеgіс shift соmеѕ in rеѕроnѕе to Indonesia’s ѕіgnіfісаnt асhіеvеmеntѕ. The Garuda squad recently made history by advancing to the fourth round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers — a first for any ASEAN country. Additionally, Indonesia currently sits at 123rd in the FIFA rankings (June 2025 edition), surpassing Malaysia who dropped to 131st. These milestones have clearly ignited a sense of urgency within FAM.
Support from Malaysian Experts: Raja Isa Endorses Naturalization Push
The foundation for this transformation was laid in November 2024, when FAM convened a special meeting to outline a long-term vision for football development through naturalization. One of the most vocal supporters of the program has been Malaysian coach and football observer Raja Isa Raja Akram Syah.
“If Malaysian football wants to stay competitive, there is no shame in following the steps of Indonesia or other countries,” said Raja Isa. “Naturalization is now part of the global football dynamic. The modern game is evolving, and so must we.”
Malaysia’s Expanding Pool of Foreign-Born Talent
Beginning in early 2025, FAM’s naturalization campaign has rapidly accelerated. The Malaysian government has already issued passports to seven foreign-born players hailing from Argentina, Brazil, Spain, and Portugal. Among them are:
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Facundo Garces
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Jon Irazabal
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Hector Hevel
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Joao Figueiredo
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Rodrigo Holgado
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Gabriel Palmero
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Imanol Machuca
These players have joined an already diverse squad that includes long-time naturalized talents such as La’Vere Corbin-Ong, Stuart Wilkin, Endrick, Paulo Josue, and Romel Morales.
Looking ahead, Malaysia plans to call up six to ten additional naturalized players for the September 2025 FIFA Matchday. Rumors also suggest that over 30 players of Malaysian-Argentinian descent are eligible for future naturalization — signaling that FAM’s strategy is far from complete.
Early Results Show Promise: Malaysia Crush Vietnam 4–0
The early returns on this ambitious project are already turning heads. On June 10, 2025, during the second matchday of Group F in the third round of 2027 AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers, Malaysia stunned regional powerhouse Vietnam with a dominant 4-0 victory.
The newly naturalized stars made an immediate impact — Joao Figueiredo and Rodrigo Holgado both found the net, leading Malaysia to the top of Group F with six points. This result not only boosted morale but also significantly enhanced Malaysia’s prospects of qualifying for the AFC Asian Cup 2027 in Saudi Arabia.
Such a result has sent shockwaves through ASEAN football. If Malaysia can dismantle Vietnam, traditionally one of the strongest sides in the region, then other nations — including Thailand, Singapore, and particularly Indonesia — must take heed.
A Clear Warning from Indonesia’s Aris Budi Sulistyo
Football analyst and former coach Aris Budi Sulistyo believes this surge in Malaysia’s quality should serve as a wake-up call for the region. He acknowledged that Malaysia’s naturalization blueprint mirrors what Indonesia has done successfully over the past three years, albeit with a new twist.
“What we’re seeing is a rapid transformation in Southeast Asian football,” Aris told Bola.com on Monday, June 23, 2025. “Indonesia pioneered this with many players of European descent being naturalized. Now Malaysia is not just following the trend — they are going further by naturalizing players with no Malaysian ancestry at all.”
He further added, “This trend could pose a real threat to regional powerhouses, including Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia. Just look at how Vietnam were outplayed. But let’s be cautious — success isn’t guaranteed, especially if the quality of these players hasn’t been fully tested yet.”
The Message: Indonesia Must Continue to Evolve
Aris concluded by emphasizing the importance of ongoing development within the Indonesian national team. He warned that Malaysia’s aggressive approach was largely driven by a desire to close the gap with Indonesia, which means the Garuda squad must not rest on its laurels.
“The quality of Indonesia’s team must keep improving,” he asserted. “It’s very possible that we’ll meet Malaysia in a future AFF Cup showdown. We have to be prepared — this is a new era for Malaysian football, and their intentions are clear.”
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