Time to get working: Goalkeeper Sikh Izhan Nazrel Sikh Azman is fighting hard for a first-eleven spot. — Penang FC
PETALING JAYA: Sikh Izhan Nazrel Sikh Azman is missing his best mate Azam Azmi Murad.
The national Under-23 squad will have to make do without righback Azam in the AFC Asian Cup from April 15-May 3 in Doha after the talented defender had to be stretchered out with a suspected knee injury during the World Cup 2026-Asian Cup 2027 second-round qualifiers game against Oman at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil last week.
His absence is a blow as he is one of the key players in the Harimau Muda squad.
Izhan, who is one of the three goalkeepers in the Under-23 squad said that Azam’s absence was a huge blow to the team.
“We lack a quality player in that position. That position is his. I hope Azam will have a speedy recovery,” said the goalkeeper, who now plays for Penang in the Super League.
“When I saw him on the field, I knew the injury was different.
“His absence is a bummer because he is a regular player in Terengganu and a big name as well in the Under-23 setup. We feel his loss but I believe the other players can take over his position.”
Meanwhile, Izhan is fighting hard for a first-eleven spot but knows that Azim Al-Amin has been in good form recently during the friendly against India.
“For the first choice spot, it is tough because Azim is in good form. We saw his performances against India. I’m motivated to do even better in training and in the next two friendlies before the tournament.
“Azim, Firdaus (Irman Fadhil) and I are enjoying the healthy rivalry among us. No one is jealous of each other. We are just focused on getting good results.”
The squad left for Doha yesterday and will play three more warm-up matches against China on April 3, Qatar (April 6 or 7) and a yet-to-be-decided game on April 10 or 11 before the competition kicks off.
The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) have set a quarter-final target for Juan Torres Garrido’s squad and some are hopeful they could get to the semi-finals, which could earn them a spot in the Paris Olympics.
