KUALA LUMPUR – With national U-23 head coach E. Elavarasan only able to bring 20 players to the Cambodia SEA Games next week, the current 25 youngsters in the training camp have their work cut out to impress the gaffer.
Among the hopeful to make the cut is Kuala Lumpur City FC’s (KL City) Muhammad Haqimi Azim Rosli, who will be bringing his experience of playing with the senior team.
“I want to take the experience of playing under Harimau Malaya head coach Kim Pan-gon and put it into use with the under-23 team.
“I want to help the team with the best I can if I am selected for the SEA Games,” he told reporters after KL City’s 3-0 win over PDRM FC last night.
Haqimi was part of the national team that played in the recent AFF Cup, scoring on his debut after coming from the bench during Malaysia’s 5-0 win against Laos in the group stage of the competition.
With five players expected to be dropped from the team headed to Phnom Penh from May 5 to 17, the 20-year-old said the competition in the camp is high.
“There will always be pressure for a football player because we have to fight to keep our position in the team.
“I can play either as a striker or a winger, and there are three or four other players fighting for the spot, so the competition is tough,” he added.
Although the KL City forward has not scored in the Super League so far this season, he was key in Harimau Muda’s victory in the recent Merlion Cup, scoring in their 4-2 win against Cambodia in the semifinals.
At the SEA Games, Malaysia start their Group B campaign on May 3 against Laos, followed by Thailand on May 6, defending champions Vietnam on May 8, and Singapore on May 11. – The Vibes, April 28, 2023
