Lowry gains FIFA approval to represent Malaysia
The 37-year-old JDT defender is eligible for future national-team selection but is not in the squad for friendlies against China and Yemen.
Shane Lowry can now be selected for Malaysia after FIFA authorised his switch of international association on Nov 12. FIFA’s Change of Association Platform records that its Players’ Status Chamber approved the application involving the 37-year-old Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) centre-back.
The Perth-born defender played youth internationals for the Republic of Ireland at Under-17 and Under-21 level before seeking a senior international career with Australia. FIFA’s platform lists the FA of Ireland and Football Australia Limited as his previous associations.
Lowry moved to JDT from Qatar’s Al Ahli in May 2021 and has met Malaysia’s five-year residency requirement. His registration as a local player for JDT in August prompted questions about his eligibility, although domestic status alone did not qualify him to represent Malaysia.
FAM gave differing accounts of his application’s progress. On Sept 13, it said FIFA was reviewing his eligibility. Secretary-general Datuk Noor Azman Rahman then said on Sept 17 that no application had been made because Lowry was injured. On Oct 27, Noor Azman confirmed that the documents had been submitted.
Lowry is outside interim coach Tan Cheng Hoe’s 23-man squad in Guangdong for the China and Yemen friendlies, with the Yemen match scheduled for Nov 17. Neither JDT nor FAM had issued an official statement on the approval.
