Key Indonesian Players Doubtful for ASEAN All-Star Match Against Manchester United

The ASEAN All-Stars team, set to face Manchester United in a historic friendly match on May 28, 2025, in Kuala Lumpur, is facing a few challenges with player availability. Two key Indonesian players, Asnawi Mangkualam and Muhammad Ferarri, are now uncertain for the match. The uncertainty stems from the possibility that both players will be called up to join the Indonesian national team for the final two World Cup qualifying matches in Group C. Their absence would create a gap in the ASEAN All-Stars lineup ahead of the high-profile fixture.
Along with Asnawi and Ferarri, two Malaysian players, Sergio Aguero-Dominic Tan, and a Thai player, Nicholas Mickelson, have also been denied permission from their clubs or national teams to participate. This situation presents a significant challenge for Kim Sang-sik, the head coach of the ASEAN All-Stars and Vietnam’s national team, as he prepares the squad for their encounter with one of the world’s most famous football clubs. Despite these setbacks, the team, composed of top players from the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF), is set to compete in the historic event.
Both Asnawi and Ferarri are pivotal players for their respective clubs, with Ferarri especially crucial for Persija Jakarta. The club’s head coach, Carlos Pena, has expressed a preference for Ferarri to remain with the team for the final matches of the BRI Liga 1 2024-25 season, emphasizing that the league's ongoing fixtures are more important than a friendly tournament. With Persija still fighting for key objectives, Ferarri’s participation in the ASEAN All-Stars match remains in question as he focuses on club commitments.