Perak stand-in goalie impresses on Super League debut

IPOH, 13 Feb -- Pemain Perak, Vokhid Shodiev terjatuh diasak pemain Kelantan, Muslim Ahmad pada perlawanan Liga Super antara Perak dan Kelantan di Stadium Perak malam ini. -- fotoBERNAMA (2016) HAK CIPTA TERPELIHARA

IPOH: Debutant goalkeeper Muhd Hafizul Hakim has made a flying start with the Perak Super League team.

The 23-year-old’s heroics between the posts in the 0-0 draw against Kelantan in their opening Super League match at the Perak Stadium in Ipoh have earned him a pat on the back from coach Syamsul Saad.

Hafizul, standing in for the injured first-choice Zamir Selamat, said his job was made easy by his team-mates.

“It was challenging for me because this is my first Super League game. With the he support of my team-mates, I was calm. Honestly, I didn’t expect to perform like this,” said Hafizul, who played for Malacca in the FAM Cup last season.

“I still have to improve my game, though.”

Hafizul stole the show on Saturday with his brilliant saves, including denying Kelantan’s Dramane Traore’s well-placed header towards the top right corner in the 69th minute. It was goal bound, but Hafizul’s reflex save saw him tipping it away.

Coach Syamsul said he was happy with Hafizul’s performance.

“I’m actually relieved because now I have two very good reserve goalkeepers (including Mohd Syazani Mat Puat). During the friendlies, they impressed me but Hafizul stood out. And he proved his worth in this match,” said Syamsul.