PETALING JAYA: Selangor goalkeeper Azim Al-Amin (pic) just needed four games to convince the national team selectors to pick him for his first international duty.
Azim was one of the four goalkeepers selected by head coach Pau Marti Vicente of Spain on Thursday for the centralised training camp ahead of the friendly against New Zealand at the North Harbour Stadium in Auckland on Oct 14.
The 23-year-old was surprised with the call-up but grateful.
“It is a huge honour to be part of Harimau Malaya, especially in a tough friendly against New Zealand,” said Azim.
“I’ve been part of the Under-20 and Under-23 squads in the past, so to be in the senior set-up for the first time feels good.”
Azim, however, was quite nervous too as he had only made his presence felt for the Red Giants in the recent Super League and AFC Champions League Two games.
So, he immediately called up his club goalkeeper coach Faozi Mukhlas, who was once the national team goalkeeper coach, responsible for helping the nation win the 2010 AFF Suzuki Cup with Datuk K. Rajagopal.
“I was nervous as this is my first senior call-up. Coach Faozi encouraged me and reminded me to stay humble and respect the trainers in the national team,” he said.
In the Super League, Azim had helped Selangor keep clean sheets in his first two starts against Kuching City (4-0) and Terengganu (1-0) with his superb shot-stopping.
In the AFC Champions League Two, he again impressed with some great saves that saw Selangor steal a point against Thai side Muangthong (1-1), and he kept a clean sheet against Filipino side Cebu (1-0).
Azim, however, has to fight for his spot in the first 11 as he has undisputed national number one Ahmad Syihan Hazmi and in-form Kuala Lumpur goalkeeper Azri Ghani to contend with.
“I will do my best in the national set-up. For sure, Syihan and Azri will be the top picks but I hope to impress coach Pau and the goalkeeper coach Cho (Jun-ho).
“I just have to be brave and try to save whatever attempts that come at me if I’m given a chance against New Zealand.”
