Young upstart: Omar Raiyan Kama Azlan (right) in action for the Malaysian Under-19 team against Singapore during the AFF Under-19 Championship. — Photo by Sports Flex Media
PETALING JAYA: Youngster Omar Raiyan Kama Azlan is hoping to get his first start after making his international debut albeit briefly in the AFF Under-19 Championship in Jakarta.
The versatile 17-year-old Red Star Belgrade trainee was brought in by coach Hasan Sazali Waras in the 81st minute for Malaysia in a match that ended 0-0 against Singapore on Thursday.
Malaysia will take on Timor Leste in their third Group B game at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium today and are hoping to continue their unbeaten run in the tournament. And Omar wants to be a part of that.
“I was happy and proud to represent my country.
“It was an honour and a dream come true. Of course, I would have loved to play longer, but I made the most of the opportunity and did what I could for the team in the time given to me,” said Omar.
“As for a starting spot, I would love to be given this opportunity to show what I can do and add value to the team.
“I believe I can contribute with my experience with a foreign team.”
Omar, who moved to Belgrade at 14, has been training with the age-group side of Red Star for a while now.
He is not eligible to play official matches for the club’s youth set-up yet due to FIFA’s Article 19 on Protection of Minors, which stipulates that international transfers are only permitted if the player is over 18.
In October, Omar would turn 18 and be eligible to sign a contract with the Serbian club or any other European clubs.
He has made enormous progress in technical and tactical abilities as he has been training with Red Star’s Under-17 and Under-19 squads.
“I find European football philosophy as typically more focused on possession and tactical play. Even if we have to slow down the game or go backwards with the ball, it is okay if we keep possession as we will be in control of the game,” he said.
“Counter attacks are part of the game, too, but it’s part of the tactical equation in the overall scheme of things.
“South-East Asian football, however, puts a lot of emphasis on fast-paced, all-out attacks and counters. Therefore, conditioning and fitness have to be at their highest level, in sync with the rhythm demanded on the pitch.”
Malaysia are second in the group with four points and are two points behind first-placed Laos. Malaysia have beaten Cambodia 2-1 in the opening game on Tuesday.
