PETALING JAYA: Talented teenage striker Mohd Haqimi Azim Rosli believes that sheer hard work – not luck – got him the call-up to join the 29-man Harimau Malaya centralised training camp in preparation for the Asean Football Federation (AFF) Cup.
The tournament which kicks off from Dec 20-Jan 16 will be held at different venues.
The 19-year-old Kuala Lumpur ace said he was able to parade his best form thanks to coach Bojan Hodak who trusted him enough to throw him into the fray towards the end of the Super League campaign this season.
Haqimi admitted that he was shocked when he was called up by Harimau Malaya head coach Kim Pan-gon for the centralised training camp for the two Tier 1 international friendlies against Cambodia at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil on Dec 9 and Maldives at the Kuala Lumpur Football Stadium in Cheras on Dec 14 before the AFF Cup kicks off from Dec 20 to Jan 16, 2023.
“Whether it (the call-up) is luck or not, I am not sure but I did my best with KL City whenever I was fielded by Bojan. I was shocked when I was listed (for the training camp) but I am very proud and so are my family and friends,” said Haqimi.
“My aim now is that if I am selected, I will give it my 100% and prove to the Pan-gon that I am up to the task,” he said.
Only 23 players will make the final squad for the AFF Cup 2022 once Pan-gon finalises his selection after the friendlies against Cambodia and Maldives.
Haqimi admitted that it had been a dream of his since he was four to don the national jersey after frequently following his father to watch matches at the Shah Alam Stadium.
Malaysia, who have been drawn in Group B of the AFF Cup, will face Myanmar in Yangon on Dec 21, Laos in Bukit Jalil (Dec 24), Vietnam in Hanoi (Dec 27) and Singapore in Bukit Jalil (Jan 3). — Bernama
