KUALA LUMPUR: Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) are in a generous mood by allowing their players to join the national team's centralised training on March 15 — three days before clubs are required to do so.
While some national trainees from various clubs will report on Friday, several others are set to be released only on the first day of the Fifa window, starting on March 18.
The national team, known as Harimau Malaya, are gearing up for the 2026 World Cup-2027 Asian Cup qualifying matches against Oman on March 22 and March 26.
JDT CEO Alistair Edwards clarified that the Southern Tigers will release their players seven days before the first game against Oman.
"JDT normally adhere to global practices regarding national team call-ups during the Fifa window.
However, we have made an exception by releasing players earlier this time," said Edwards.
"While football regulations stipulate that clubs are only required to release players on the first day of the Fifa window, which is March 18 this time, considering that many JDT players are with the national team, an early release will facilitate better preparation for Harimau Malaya in the upcoming matches."
The nine JDT players in the 33-player national squad are Ahmad Syihan Hazmi, Matt Davies, La'Vere Corbin Ong, Endrick dos Santos, Arif Aiman Hanapi, Shahrul Saad, Syamer Kutty Abba, Junior Eldstal, and Romel Morales.