American-born footballer Wan Kuzain Wan Kamal officially linked up with the Malaysia national under-22 squad on Monday.
The 21-year-old, born in Carbondale, Illinois, was previously reported to be facing passport and documentation issues.
However, the Sporting Kansas City midfielder arrived yesterday to join the team's preparation for the 2019 SEA Games.
"This means a lot... every time you represent the national team, you're not just representing yourself or your family, you're representing the whole country. Hopefully I can show and wear these colours proudly.
"[I am] looking forward for training and see where it goes. I am just going to be my best, work hard, compete, do what I can do and see what happens," he told reporters during a training session at the MPSJ Arena, Subang Jaya.
Wan Kuzain is aiming to help Ong Kim Swee's charges to win the elusive SEA Games gold, after Malaysia lost to Thailand in the 2017 final.
"I think every team wants to win, I do not see any reason why we can't [win].
"Everyone [in the team] is nice and friendly [and I have] introduced myself to all. So far all have been good.
"I would like to express myself as a player who is calm, composed in the midfield. I can play in any position, either in defence, centre or as attacking midfielder, [am] able to dictate the game and make the game.
"I can play the final ball, create own chances and most importantly, [I am] a guy who is a going to be good team-mate and work hard," added Wan Kuzain.
Meanwhile, Ong believes Wan Kuzain's experience would benefit the national team in long term.
"We need to give him time because he has just arrived. Firstly, we want to see how he can gel with other players on the field and we know that a few midfielders from the national senior team will be joining us after the match against Indonesia [on Tuesday].
"When these players come in, the combination between them is very important.
"At the same time, outside the pitch or off the field, he has to blend with our local players and it is very important for our team building on the field," he said.
Ong, who now has 25 players in the squad and will have another seven joining the team from the senior squad on Wednesday, is expected to name his final 20-man squad by the weekend before leaving for Manila.
"Everybody is going to work hard, especially when you know only 20 players will be selected for Manila.
"I can't have everyone and I don't want to have a very big group of players, where it definitely will be giving me little bit of problem in training.
"In the last week of preparations, I need to look at certain positions [and] make sure that we have very stable squad," he said.
Drawn in Group A, Malaysia kick off the campaign against Myanmar on November 25, followed by the Philippines (November 29), Timor-Leste (December 2) and Cambodia (December 4).
Bernama
Tue Nov 19 2019
Piala Asia B-23: Kekalahan Malaysia 'merugikan' -- Norshahrul Idlan Talaha
'Merugikan', itu yang dirumuskan oleh penolong skuad penolong jurulatih skuad B-23 tahun skuad Kuala Lumpur City, Norshahrul Idlan Talaha, susulan Malaysia tewas 0-2 kepada Uzbekistan dalam aksi Piala Asia B-23 sebentar tadi.
Piala Asia B-23: Malaysia gagal tumbangkan juara edisi 2018
Malaysia terpaksa berdepan langkah kiri apabila tewas 2-0 kepada Uzbekistan dalam aksi Piala Asia B-23 di Qatar di Stadium Antarabangsa Khalifa sebentar tadi.
Piala Asia B-23: Malaysia bermain baik sebelum penalti Uzbekistan -- Kenny Palraj
Sepakan penalti yang disempurnakan Jasurbek Jaloliddinov ternyata menjejaskan rentak cemerlang permulaan permainan Harimau Muda dalam aksi pembukaan Piala Asia B-23 sebentar tadi.
Separuh Masa: Malaysia ketinggalan dengan satu jaringan
UZBEKISTAN 1 MALAYSIA 0
Piala Asia B-23: Ini kesebelasan utama Harimau Muda
Harimau Muda menurunkan barisan kesebelasan utama menjelang aksi pertembungan menentang Uzbekistan yang akan berlangsung di Stadium Antarabangsa Khalifa, Qatar, 9 malam ini.
Piala Thomas/Uber: BAM umum senarai pemain, Tze Yong tersenarai
Menerusi kemas kini terbaru laman sesawang Persatuan Badminton Malaysia (BAM), skuad badminton negara mengumumkan seramai 20 pemain yang akan menyertai kejohanan badminton Piala Thomas dan Uber 2024 di Chengdu, China bermula hujung bulan ini.
Usah kecewakan Pan-gon lagi
Persatuan Bola Sepak Malaysia (FAM) seharusnya lebih bertanggungjawab selepas dua kekalahan kepada Oman dalam aksi kelayakan Piala Dunia 2026/Piala Asia 2027 di Muscat dan Stadium Nasional Bukit Jalil baru-baru ini.
Kejohanan Futsal ASEAN 2024: Penundaan lahir sinar baru buat skuad futsal negara
Kemungkinan penundaan Kejohanan Futsal ASEAN 2024 tidak merencatkan persiapan skuad, menurut pemain futsal negara, Khairul Effendy Bahrin.
Syamer Kutty dipinjamkan ke Penang FC
Umpama sirih pulang ke gagang, seorang lagi pemain Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) bakal dipinjamkan keluar dan kali ini bakal berkelana ke utara tanah air.
Nasihat Syawal Hannah buat atlet
Menteri Belia dan Sukan, Hannah Yeoh mengingatkan para atlet negara untuk menjaga keselamatan diri termasuk aspek pemakanan sepanjang sambutan Hari Raya Aidilfitri kali ini.
Hamstring operation puts Nathan Patterson’s Euro 2024 hopes in doubt
The Everton defender was forced off against Chelsea.
It’s time to show what we’re made of, says Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta
The Gunners head to Wolves after back-to-back defeats.
Wolves v Arsenal: ‘What we still have to play for is beautiful’ – Arteta
Preview: Wolves v Arsenal
Ending FA Cup replays another example of EFL being ‘marginalised’, says league
All replays from the first round onward are being abolished.
John O’Shea could stay as interim Ireland boss as permanent appointment delayed
Stephen Kenny was relieved of his duties in November.
Tape ball programme can help England find unorthodox talent – Richard Gould
The ECB’s new core cities programme was showcased at an event in Birmingham on Thursday.
Erik ten Hag denies Man Utd squad is fractured after Alejandro Garnacho incident
Garnacho has apologised for liking social media posts that were critical of Erik ten Hag.
We’ll throw everything at title bid – Trent Alexander-Arnold
Jurgen Klopp: Liverpool can secure Premier League crown with perfect finish
Liverpool two points behind leaders Manchester City in the Premier League table with six games remaining.
Mo Hunt wants Grand Slam-chasing England to put on a show at Twickenham
John Mitchell’s side have averaged 47 points game in this year’s Guiness Women’s Six Nations.