KUALA LUMPUR: Winger Arif Aiman Hanapi could hold the key to Malaysia's Paris Olympics dream if he plays in next year's Under-23 Asian Cup.
However, the 21-year-old has never played for the national Under-23 squad, despite being a senior team regular.
The Young Tigers are in Group D of the Under-23 Asian Cup in Doha, Qatar. The top three teams will earn Olympic berths while the fourth-placed team must play in the inter-continental playoff for a spot.
Although the Young Tigers have performed well without Arif, his inclusion could boost the country's chances of Olympic qualification.
Arif, who plays for Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT), is the country's most promising youth talent and has donned Harimau Malaya colours since 2021.
He has earned 21 senior caps with six goals and eight assists to show so far.
The player, known for his speed and technical ability, also plays regularly for JDT in the M-League and the Asian Champions League (ACL).
However, the Under-23 Asian Cup, scheduled on April 15-May 3, falls outside the Fifa window and clubs can decide not to release players.
Team manager Datuk Seri Shahril Mokhtar hopes Arif will be released by his club to boost the Young Tigers' chances of qualifying for the Olympics for the first time since the 1980 Moscow edition, which Malaysia boycotted.
"I hope JDT owner Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim will consider releasing Arif for the assignment. We need his services," said Shahril.
"Arif's presence will add depth to the team, inspiring other players to excel," said Shahril.
Juan Torres Garrido's side are drawn in Group D at the Under-23 Asian Cup with Uzbekistan, Vietnam and Kuwait.
The FA of Malaysia has a lofty target for its national Under-23 team to qualify for the 2024 Olympics.
If the team achieve the target, FAM president Datuk Hamidin Amin will be a happy man as he is also the chef de mission for the Paris Games.
Since joining the Southern Tigers in 2020, Arif has featured in 99 games, scoring 27 goals and recording 39 assists.
His achievements include winning the M-League's most valuable player, best forward and best young player awards in 2021 and 2022.