KUALA LUMPUR: Goalkeeper Khairul Fahmi Che Mat urged his new national teammates not to be unduly concerned over criticism directed at the national squad.
Coach Tan Cheng Hoe's team suffered a backlash on social media following a 2-2 draw with lowly Mongolia in a friendly in Bukit Jalil on Thursday, leading to the release of 14 Johor Darul Ta'zim players from the squad.
Nine JDT players started in the friendly match but two - midfielder Nazmi Faiz Mansor and forward Syafiq Ahmad - have rejoined the side as they left for Beirut on Sunday morning.
Malaysia face Lebanon on Tuesday in their final Asian Cup Group B qualifier with no chance of advancing further but Khairul Fahmi wants his teammates to prove that the team can recover from Thursday's setback.
"It's normal in football that when you win everyone praises you but when something bad happens everyone criticises you," said the Kelantan goalkeeper.
"As a player, you have to be ready mentally and just focus on your game. If the criticism is constructive then it can help to spur us on and fix our weaknesess."
Khairul Fahmi is closing in on a half-century of caps and will get there if he plays against Lebanon and Bhutan in a friendly on Apr 1.
The goalkeeper made the last of his 48 appearances at the 2016 AFF Cup but was not selected by previous national coach Nelo Vingada, under whom Malaysia failed to win seven matches as part of an overall 11-game winless run since November 2016.
"If the coach decides to field me, I will carry out my duties to the best of my abilities," said Khairul Fahmi, who is competing with youngster Hafizul Hakim Khairul Nizam Jothy of Perak and PKNS newcomer Shahril Shaari for a starting berth.
"In this team, whether you are a senior or junior it does not matter. In football everywhere it is the same, if you are good then you get to play but everyone must work hard.
"The fact that there are many new players in the team should not be an issue as long we follow the tactical plan prepared by the coach.
"Even though we cannot qualify for the Asian Cup, I hope we can do well in this game because we have not won in a while. This is the time for us the get fans to support us again."
SQUAD - Goalkeepers: Khairul Fahmi Che Mat (Kelantan), Hafizul Hakim Khairul Nizam Jothy (Perak), Shahril Shaari (PKNS);
Defenders: Matthew Davies (Pahang), Syazwan Zaipol Bahri, Nazirul Naim Che Hashim (all Perak), Ariff Farhan Isa, Syawal Nordin (both Kedah), Syazwan Andik Ishak (KL), Syahmi Safari (Selangor);
Midfielders: Nazmi Faiz Mansor (JDT), Akram Mahinan (Kedah), Irfan Zakaria (KL), Wan Zack Haikal Wan Nor (Felda), Mahalli Jasuli (PKNS), Shahrul Saad, Nor Hakim Hassan (both Perak);