PETALING JAYA (6 May 2020) – Kosovo-born Liridon Krasniqi is good news for Malaysia head coach Tan Cheng Hoe after FIFA – the world football governing body – approved his status as a naturalized Malaysian.
FIFA have approved Krasniqi’s application to be a Malaysian after coming through the five-year residential status in the country which he completed on 25 March 2020.
Krasniqi becomes the second naturalized Malaysian footballer after Gambia born Mohamadou Sumareh who plays for Pahang in the Malaysian Super League.
Krasniqi is now with six-time Malaysian Super League champions Johor Darul Ta’zim after playing for Kedah (2015-2018) and last year for Melaka United.
However, Krasniqi will have to wait for a national call-up to don Harimau Malaya colours after all sporting activities were called off due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Malaysia were earlier scheduled to play the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on 26 March 2020 but has now being pushed to later in the year.
Then, there’s also the AFF Suzuki Cup coming up.
”He (Krasniqi) has the quality but I have not seen him play for a long time. Other than that physically, technically and tactically Krasniqi is something special,” said Cheng Hoe.
”Krasniqi is also strong and confident. This is a plus factor for him. Still, we need team training and when this will happen is anyone’s guess due to the Movement Control Order (MCO) and the Health Ministry’s restrictions and guidelines to check the virus.”
