PETALING JAYA – Teenage striker Muhammad Haqimi Azim Rosli believes that sheer hard work and talent, not luck, got him the call-up to join the 29-man Harimau Malaya centralised training camp in preparation for the Asean Football Federation (AFF) Cup 2022.
The 19-year-old ace said he was able to unleash his best form when Kuala Lumpur (KL) City FC coach Bojan Hodak trusted him enough to throw him into the fray towards the end of the Super League campaign this season.
Haqimi admitted to being shocked when he was among the 29 players listed by Harimau Malaya head coach Kim Pan-gon for the centralised training camp for the two Tier 1 International friendlies against Cambodia at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil on December 9 and Maldives at the Kuala Lumpur Football Stadium in Cheras on December 14 before the AFF Cup kicks off from December 20 to January 16, 2023.
“Whether it (the call-up) is luck or not, I am not sure, but I did my best with KL City whenever I was fielded by coach Bojan. I was shocked when I was listed (for the training camp), but I am very proud and so are my family and friends.
“My aim now is that if I am selected, I will give it my 100% and prove to the coach that I am up to the task,” he said when met at the centralised training camp at Wisma FAM in Kelana Jaya here today.
Only 23 players will make the final squad for the AFF Cup 2022 once Pan-gon finalises his evaluation of the players in the friendlies against Cambodia and Maldives.
Haqimi admitted that it has been a dream of his since he was four to don the national jersey after frequently following his father to watch matches at the Shah Alam Stadium.
“I am happy that this year I have been called up to join the Harimau Malaya squad for the first time,” he said.
Meanwhile, Sri Pahang FC striker Sergio Aguero, who is a naturalised player, admitted to being “Malaysian enough” to represent the country, saying he is ready to give his best if selected for the AFF Cup.
“I’ve been here for six years. I had many offers from outside before, but I always choose to be here because I love the country and I love everything here.
“I’m just asking fans to trust and support the new players because we will give 100% commitment to the coach, fans and country,” said the 28-year-old.
Besides Aguero, who hails from Argentina, his Sri Pahang teammate Lee Tuck is the latest naturalised player to earn a first call-up to join the centralised training camp.
Malaysia, who have been drawn in Group B of the AFF Cup, will face Myanmar in Yangon on December 21, Laos in Bukit Jalil (December 24), Vietnam in Hanoi (December 27) and Singapore in Bukit Jalil (January 3). – Bernama, December 1, 2022
