Hodak's son joins Malaysia's U-19 mission

Luka Jordy Hodak, son of former national U-19 coach Bojan Hodak, is set to make his mark on the international stage after being selected for Malaysia's squad at the ASEAN U-19 Championship 2026 in Medan, Indonesia. The young player, who currently competes with Croatian club NK Trnje FC, is part of the final squad chosen by coach Nafuzi Zain.

The inclusion of Luka Jordy carries symbolic weight, as his father, Bojan Hodak, led Malaysia to the championship title in 2018. This presents an opportunity for the son to continue his family's legacy with the 'Harimau Muda' (Young Tigers). The current Malaysian squad also boasts significant strength from the Johor Darul Ta'zim academy, with 15 players from the powerhouse club making the 23-man roster.

Among the notable selections is 17-year-old Arayyan Hakeem Norizam, considered one of the nation's top prospects. Six players from Selangor FC have also been called up, along with one representative from MISC-Touchtronics FC. Malaysia, drawn in Group B, will face Singapore in their opening match on Tuesday, followed by games against Brunei on June 5 and Thailand on June 8.

Malaysia has a strong history in this prestigious regional youth tournament, having won the championship twice before – in 2018 under Bojan Hodak and in 2022. They have also been runners-up six times. This year, the team aims to secure their third title in the competition, which features 11 participating nations.

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From that list, 17-year-old player Arayyan Hakeem Norizam has also been given the opportunity to prove his ability after being considered one of the best prospects in the country right now.