Malaysia Close to Securing Shane Lowry as Naturalization Nears FIFA Approval
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- FAM telah menuntaskan berkas naturalisasi Shane Lowry dan menyerahkannya ke FIFA, kini hanya menunggu keputusan resmi.
- Bek 34 tahun itu memenuhi syarat domisili lima tahun setelah berseragam Johor Darul Ta'zim sejak 2021.
- Jika disetujui, Lowry memperkuat lini belakang Malaysia yang sudah dihuni Bergson da Silva dan Manuel Hidalgo.
The Malaysian national team is moving quickly to complete its latest naturalization agenda. After Shane Lowry's file was declared complete and sent to FIFA, the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) can now only wait for the green light from world football's highest authority. If approval comes, the 34-year-old center-back will officially enter the radar of the Harimau Malaya squad.
Confirmation of the document submission was given by FAM Secretary General Datuk Noor Azman Haji Rahman. According to him, no administrative requirements remain. "Shane Lowry's documents are complete and we have submitted them to FIFA. We are now waiting for FIFA's approval process in the near future," he said, as quoted by News Straits Times.
Lowry is no stranger to Malaysian football. Since joining Johor Darul Ta'zim in May 2021 from Al Ahli SC (Qatar), he has passed the five-year residency threshold in Malaysia—the main requirement for applying for naturalization. During that period, he helped JDT win four Malaysia Super League trophies, making him one of the most consistent foreign defenders in the domestic competition.
Lowry's career journey is fairly unique. Born in Australia, he learned his trade in England from a young age and briefly played for Aston Villa's youth team in 2005. Most of his career was spent in England's second tier, with a total of 114 matches in the Championship. Although he never tasted the Premier League, years of experience in competitive European competitions are seen as an added value believed to be able to raise the quality of Malaysia's back line.
However, naturalization status does not automatically allow Lowry to play for Malaysia right away. FIFA regulations remain the final determinant, especially regarding eligibility and the administrative process. FAM appears to have anticipated this by preparing the file as thoroughly as possible. If approved, Lowry will complete the defensive options previously filled by Bergson da Silva and Manuel Hidalgo—two players who received naturalization status last month.
Malaysia's move is not its first. A number of naturalized players have previously represented Harimau Malaya, such as Mohamadou Sumareh, Liridon Krasniqi, Guilherme de Paula, Lee Tuck, Sergio Aguero, Paulo Josue, Endrick dos Santos, and Romel Morales. This pattern shows FAM's long-term strategy to strengthen the national team with players who are mature and experienced in the domestic league.
"The documents are complete, we are just waiting for FIFA's decision in the near future." — Datuk Noor Azman Haji Rahman, FAM Secretary General
For Malaysia, Lowry's presence could be an important addition to a back line that has often been a weak point in recent tournaments. His experience playing in England and his consistency with JDT are valuable assets for dealing with pressure at the international level. However, FIFA's decision remains the determining factor. If approval comes, Malaysia will be more confident looking ahead to the qualification agenda and regional tournaments.
The question now is: how quickly will FIFA process the file, and will Lowry truly be a short-term solution or part of Malaysia's defensive regeneration? What is clear is that FAM's move confirms that naturalization remains one of the main pillars in building the competitiveness of Malaysian football on the Asian stage.
