Keeper Sikh Izhan catches the eye in Super League debut at 19

KUALA LUMPUR: Young goalkeeper Sikh Izhan Nazrel Sikh Azman’s (pic) dream of playing at the highest level of domestic football has finally come true after he made his debut for Selangor in their Super League.

Sikh Izhan, 19, earned his first Red Giants cap after a seven-month struggle to prove his capabilities in keeping the team’s goal safe since making it into the main squad from Selangor II in December last year.

The goalkeeper from Seberang Jaya, Penang, celebrated his debut with a 4-2 win over Kedah at the Darulaman Stadium, Alor Setar.

Sikh Izhan credited the continuous support from his family and Selangor II head coach Michael Feichtenbeiner for his excellent performance, adding that they had helped him get past the ups and downs of his professional career.

“Michael (Feichtenbeiner) is responsible for improving my performance on the field during training and matches, and now I only need to maintain my consistency and continue learning,” he said.

Sikh Izhan, who is the national Under-19 squad goalkeeper, said Feichtenbeiner, 61, always kept an open mind despite his vast experience, and that made it less awkward for him to share and exchange views with his coach.

The teenager said he realised that if he wanted to be a footballer of international standard, he would need more playing time and Selangor would be able to help him progress.

“Maybe to some, I am still young, but I need to learn and adapt faster. I have never forgotten my dream of playing at the international level,” he said, adding that he had the dream of playing overseas since he was young.

Sikh Izhan was the only goalkeeper out of five Selangor II players, along with Sharul Nazeem Zulphakar, Aliff Haiqal Lokman Hakim Lau, Ahmad Zikri Khalili and Ahmad Danial Ahmad Asri, who were absorbed into the Selangor squad early this season. — Bernama