Dubai: Zesh Rahman, one of four Pahang players denied a visa to Indonesia ahead of their now-postponed AFC Cup round of 16 clash with Persipura Jayapura, believes the game will be awarded to his club.

The Pakistan defender was stopped at immigration on Sunday with three teammates — Argentinian striker Matias Conti, Nigerian forward Dickson Nwakaema and Jamaican defender Damion Stewart — because they weren’t eligible for a visa on arrival.

Usually it takes one month to process a visa to Indonesia, but Malaysian side Pahang only learnt who their round of 16 opponents were two weeks earlier, meaning they didn’t have time to go through the necessary channels.

In these circumstances it is down to the football association of the country hosting the game — in this case the Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI) — to arrange alternative clearance.

However, paperwork from the PSSI’s side was incomplete and nobody from the organisation was at the airport when the team arrived, according to Pahang team manager Fahrizal Hassan, who blamed PSSI negligence for the fiasco.

The PSSI is currently in turmoil, with world football body Fifa threatening to suspend Indonesia after allegations of government interference. It is understood the government there is attempting to form a new football association, with all domestic competition currently suspended.

The game between Pahang and Persipura, which was due to be played on Tuesday, has now been postponed pending an investigation from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), with a decision on the fate of the fixture due to be made on May 29.

But Rahman, 31, formerly of English clubs Fulham, QPR and Bradford City, was confident Pahang would be absolved of all blame.

“I think Pahang should progress to the quarter-final as our association ticked all the necessary requirements,” he told Gulf News. “The club did it all in the right time frame.

“I think it will work against the Indonesian club, who could be out. It is a shame if the Indonesian club misses out but the AFC must stick to the rule book, which I’m sure they will.

“It is frustrating because we prepared well for the game, but as players it is out of our hands so we can’t worry too much,” he added.

British-born Rahman also has a UK passport but, by AFC rules, to assume Pahang’s fourth Asian player slot, he must travel on his Pakistani passport.