KUALA LUMPUR: Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) owner Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim is puzzled over coach Kim Pan Gon's decision to exclude several of the club's players for national assignments.
Defender Feroz Baharudin has been one of JDT's bright sparks this season since breaking into their starting XI under Argentine coach Esteban Solari.
Tunku Ismail said the 23-year-old Feroz is the future captain of the Southern Tigers, and he hopes that Pan Gon will use JDT players in the Asian Cup in Qatar next year.
The TMJ also took a swipe at the national training after injuries to players following international duties.
"He (Feroz) will be JDT's captain one day," Tunku Ismail said in an interview with a TV station.
"We can look at the statistics, Feroz is among the best. We also cannot forget players like (Shio) Hong Wan, Shahrul Saad, Syafiq Ahmad and Syahmi Safari who have the quality to represent Malaysia.
"If the players join the national team, just do proper training, not overdose, and return with injuries. I always discuss this with FAM's president and the coach."
Tunku Ismail also revealed that national team defender Dion Cools could join the Southern Tigers in the future. Former Club Brugge player Cools is currently with Thai League side Buriram United.
"We have a good relationship, he knows about our project, infrastructure and JDT's agenda well. One day Cools will become a JDT player.
"Cools' salary is too high for us. Buriram pay a high salary for Cools but I know he wants to play in Malaysia and I don't think he will play for other teams."