Football

Malaysian-Finnish professional Laine set for Under-23 Asian Cup

Nooa Laine, a Malaysian-Finnish professional footballer, is set to play for the national youth team in the Under-23 Asian Cup in Uzbekistan on June 1-19.

The attacking midfielder is currently in Kuala Lumpur to sort out his passport documentation and will train with Brad Maloney's Sea Games squad for a week to maintain his fitness.

The 20-year-old, who turns out for SJK Akatemia in the Finnish second division, is on a short break in Malaysia.

However, Laine, who was born in Jyvaskyla, Finland, is not available for next month's Hanoi Sea Games.

Maloney said Laine, who had turned out for Finland's Under-17 squad in 2018, will be considered for the Under-23 Asian Cup.

"Laine is here to sort out some paperwork with the Immigration Department.

"His club have given him clearance to train with us.

"However, he is unavailable for the Sea Games. We will consider him for the Under-23 Asian Cup.

"We are here to help him stay fit during his short stay here.

"Laine is young and plays regular football in Finland, so he definitely has some quality.

"We will also monitor his progress in training," said Laine, whose father is from Batu Laut in Selangor.

There are 14 players in the Sea Games training camp, with 17 more set to report later this week.

However, Maloney disclosed that trainee A. Selvan, who plays for Negri Sembilan, will have to miss the Sea Games due to an injury.

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