New Modric has much more to do before he can fit in

No Major League Soccer: Wan Kuzri is facing a language barrier.

PETALING JAYA: When Wan Kuzri Wan Ahmad Kamal’s name was announced as part of the training camp for the 2020 AFC Under-19 Championships team in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, many believed he was the next best hope of Malaysian football.

The Malaysian-American, who plays for St Louis Football Club Academy in the United States, has been hyped on social media as being the “Malaysian Luka Modric” and even national Under-19 sensation Luqman Hakim Shamsuddin likened him to German star Toni Kroos.

However, in his first two friendly matches, Wan Kuzri has not lived up to the hype.

Against Selangor II on Tuesday, it was his mistake that led to the opponents’ second goal. The Under-19 side were thrashed 0-4, and all eyes were on him, as his brother, deputy Youth and Sports Minister Wan Ahmad Fayshal, was among the audience at the Selangor Training Centre.

Playing in midfield, Wan Kuzri struggled with Selangor’s incessant pressing, and the language barrier – Wan Kuzri only speaks English – was also evident as he struggled to communicate with his teammates on the pitch.

The 18-year-old admitted his mistake, but said it would not be a usual occurrence for him.

“Everyone makes mistakes. They pressed really hard and got us that one time.

“They punished us and that is what top teams to do. It is going to happen at times,” he said.

“I definitely think this team has something that can take us far. There are things we have to work on. We are still getting used to each other.

“There was a lot of hype around me but I just try not to think about it. I just take it day by day.”

Wan Kuzri is hopeful that in the next few days, he would grow more confident with his mates in the training camp, and is hopeful of being a leader in the set-up.

“I want to take them to places we’ve never been to. That’s why I am here and I want to keep getting better with the guys.”

Right now, I will be here. My club want me to be here as they feel it is a good opportunity for me.

“I just think that for me to be a leader, I have to be confident, I have to be good going forward and tracking back. If I have confidence in myself, the team will be confident in me.”

Coach Brad Maloney admitted that Wan Kuzri is quiet by nature, and believes that the more time he spends with the team, the better he will get.

“He is a quiet fellow by nature. We are trying to get him out of his shell. The language barrier is not easy for him, so the more time he spends with the team, he will adapt. The players have accepted him.”