On the evening of December 3, Malaysia's Sabah FC confirmed that it would not let striker Ferguson Tierney participate in the 33rd SEA Games. They need the striker's services in the Malaysia FA Cup final between Sabah and Johor Darul Ta'zim on December 14.
Salah FC general director Mohd Joh Wid said the decision was made after discussing with head coach Jean- Paul de Marigny. "The coach wants Tierney to stay with the team (Sabah) and focus on the final match. We respect that decision. Sabah needs Tierney," Joh Wid said.
Previously, the club's management board also considered allowing Tierney to participate in the U22 Malaysia squad to compete with U22 Laos, in their opening match at the 33rd SEA Games. But with the latest decision, it will be very difficult for Tierney to compete in the SEA Games.
Ferguson Tierney is a striker born in 2003, who played for Malaysia and is highly appreciated. Therefore, he is highly expected at the 33rd SEA Games, but the possibility of him competing is very low.
Because the SEA Games are outside the FIFA competition schedule, Malaysia's Super League clubs are not obliged to release players.
The fact that U22 Malaysia does not have the best force for the SEA Games because clubs do not release players is the biggest concern of coach Nafuzi Zain.
We were eliminated at the SEA Games before, so we need the best players. We know that the SEA Games are outside the FIFA Days, so clubs have the right not to release players, but I hope they will create conditions for the players to be able to compete with U22 Laos, Mr. Nafuzi shared.
In addition to not having the best force, U22 Malaysia has not had good form recently. In the last 6 matches, U22 Malaysia has lost 5 matches. They failed to qualify for the U23 Asian Cup, and said goodbye early at the 2025 U23 Southeast Asian Cup.
According to the schedule, U22 Malaysia will compete with U22 Laos on December 6 and then U22 Vietnam in Group B. In the first match of the group, U22 Vietnam beat U22 Laos 2-1.
U22 Laos showed that they are a very tough opponent, strong enough to defeat U22 Malaysia. Meanwhile, U22 Vietnam is considered the strongest team in the group. With the current situation, it is clear that U22 Malaysia is facing many difficulties. If there is no turning point in the force, they will find it difficult to create a surprise in Group B.
