PETALING JAYA: Penang wingback Adib Abd Raop (pic) intends to make his first national football team call-up a special one.
The 24-year-old is the only new face among the 26 players picked by coach Kim Pan-gon to prepare for the remaining two World Cup 2026-Asian Cup 2027 second round qualifiers.
For some inspiration, Adib sought some tips from 2016 FIFA Puskas Award winner Faiz Subri and former national striker and now Penang coach Akmal Rizal Rakhli on how to conduct himself best as the “new kid on the block’’.
“Talking to Faiz and coach Akmal gave me more strength and courage to go in and take on the challenge of being the new guy in the national team,’’ said Adib.
“Akmal told me to just enjoy the process and be myself, and play to my strengths. That’s the best approach to lead me to my first cap.
“As for Faiz, he told me not to worry and just play the best I can for the national shirt.’’
Adib added that Pan-gon had also made him more comfortable in the team by motivating him during training sessions.
“Pan-gon has the personal touch when it comes to managing players. He always asks me if I understand his tactics and is always ready to guide me.
“That kind of attention makes you want to justify your position in the team.’’
