**With just two days remaining before the much-anticipated Maybank Challenge Cup between the ASEAN All-Stars and Manchester United, head coach Kim Sang-sik has been dealt a late blow as two Port FC players have withdrawn from the squad.**
Midfielder Peeradol Chamratsamee and left-back Asnawi Mangkualam were officially ruled out on May 26, with the announcement made via Port FC’s official social media channels.
Peeradol withdrew to be with his wife and newborn son in Bangkok following the recent birth of their child. The experienced midfielder, who previously played for Pattaya United and Buriram United, was expected to play a key role in the All-Stars midfield.
Asnawi, meanwhile, was called up to Patrick Kluivert’s 32-man training camp with the Indonesian national team ahead of two critical 2026 FIFA World Cup third-round qualifying matches against China and Japan on June 5 and 10. The clash against China, set to take place in Jakarta, is seen as decisive for Indonesia’s hopes of reaching the World Cup.
The departure of Peeradol and Asnawi adds to a growing list of ASEAN stars who have pulled out of the All-Stars squad. Other notable withdrawals include Dominic Tan, Muhammad Ferarri, Nicholas Mickelson, Nguyen Quang Hai, Andres Nieto, and Azwan Ali Rahman.
Dominic stepped away due to national team duties with Malaysia in preparation for their 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers. Ferarri and Mickelson were not released by their clubs, Persija Jakarta and OB Odense, respectively. Quang Hai was involved in Cong An Ha Noi’s second leg of the 2024/25 ASEAN Club Championship final just days prior to the Manchester United fixture, while Azwan was committed to DPMM FC’s Singapore Cup semifinal against Lion City Sailors, scheduled just one day before the All-Stars match. Nieto remains suspended following a red card received in a friendly for Cambodia against Aruba in March.
Despite the absences, Kim Sang-sik’s squad has been boosted by several reinforcements. Following earlier additions of Worachit Kanitsribampen, Ben Davies, Nguyen Hai Long, Nguyen Van Vi, Abdel Coulibaly, and Irfan Fandi, the All-Stars have now welcomed four more Malaysian players: Azam Azmi, Adib Ra’op, Declan Lambert, and Ezequiel Aguero—who rejoined the team after reversing his initial withdrawal.
The Philippines also gained representation in the ASEAN All-Stars squad with the inclusion of Amani Aguinaldo and Sandro Reyes, further strengthening the diverse regional lineup ahead of the showdown with the Premier League giants.