A soccer player from Argentina has recently officially joined the Malaysian national team.His name is Facundo Garcés and he is a 25-year-old center back.The news has created quite a buzz in Malaysian fan circles.There is a lot of anticipation for this new player and hopefully he will help the team in their upcoming important matches.
From La Liga to Southeast Asia: why did Garces choose Malaysia?
Garces originally played in Spain for La Liga side Alaves.He played quite a few matches there and did quite well.In particular, in the 2024/25 season, he made a total of 10 appearances, including a couple of full 90-minute games.Most impressively, he helped the team achieve a number of shutouts in their final few games, even beating a strong Atletico Madrid side in one game.
Before joining Alaves, Garces also played domestically in Argentina.He was a member of FC Colón Santa Fe, where he gained a lot of experience in the game.Later on, he also won the Spanish Professional Soccer Primera Division Cup with the team.These experiences made him a technically solid and mentally tough defense player.
So the question arises: why would a player who has played in Europe’s top leagues choose to come to Malaysia?It turns out that Garces’ grandmother is Malaysian.That means he is eligible to represent Malaysia in international matches.This is both a new challenge and a rare opportunity for him.
What do the coaches think?And what do the fans say?
Peter Cklamovski, the head coach of the Malaysian national team, is very happy with the arrival of Garces.He said, “Facundo is not only technically sound but also mentally sound.He is the kind of player we need in our backline.”
In an interview with the media, the Australian-born coach also highlighted Garces’ leadership and sense of responsibility.He said, “He’s not the kind of guy who just runs around the field, but a player who can drive the whole defense.That’s the kind of leader we need.”
As for the fans, their response has been overwhelming.Many left messages on social media saying that they had finally waited for a truly capable wideout.Some even called Garces “the baby from La Liga,” saying that his arrival will greatly improve the team’s overall level.
What does Garces himself say?
Garces himself is very excited about this transfer.In an interview, he said, “I’ve heard about the country of Malaysia since I was a kid, and it feels great to be able to come and play here in person now.”
He also mentioned that although he just arrived not long ago, he has already felt the passion and support of the local fans.“The atmosphere here is really different, everyone is so united and loves soccer.”He said, “If this is just the beginning, then the future will definitely be more exciting.”
Malaysian soccer is quietly changing
In fact, Garces is not the only name that has excited Malaysian fans.In recent times, news has been circulating about the possible inclusion of several other foreign players.The likes of Rodrigo Holgado, Jefta Betancor and Jon Irazabal, for example, have been the center of attention.
However, head coach Kramowski didn’t reveal too many details.He said with a smile at a press conference, “We do have some plans, but it’s not the time to announce them.Everything will just go with the flow.”
Nonetheless, many believe that Malaysian soccer is undergoing a major transformation.The team has been less than consistent over the past few years.But with the addition of more and more high-level players and a well-built coaching staff, the team is steadily improving.
Garces’ first match: against Vietnam
Garces has now arrived in Malaysia and joined the team’s training camp.It is reported that he will take part in a closed-door friendly against Cape Verde on June 3 as part of his acclimatization to his new surroundings.The game that will really test him is the Asian Cup qualifier against Vietnam on June 10th.
This match is very important as it is a key match for Malaysia in their quest to qualify for the 2027 Asian Cup.And whether Garces can show his strength in this match will also determine whether he can really be the mainstay of the team.
Many fans are looking forward to this day.They want to see the Argentinean center back have his moment of glory at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium.
Conclusion: The dream is not far away
Overall, the signing of Facundo Garces is more than just an ordinary player signing, it symbolizes a new beginning for Malaysian soccer.With experienced players like him joining the team, the overall strength of the team has been significantly improved.
For those who have been supporting the Malayan Tigers for a long time, this is certainly an exciting news.They may have been used to disappointment and waiting in the past, but now, a new hope is rising.
There is still a long way to go, but at least for now, we can see that Malaysian soccer is moving in a better direction.And that, in turn, is the outcome that all those who love the sport want to see the most.
