SHAH ALAM: National Under-23 squad striker, Mohd Haqimi Azim Rosli, refuses to let the bitter history of being knocked out at the group stage two years ago repeat itself when Malaysia compete in the SEA Games in Thailand next month.
The 22-year-old player said the past experience serves as motivation for him to conclude his final appearance at the biennial games with a better result.
“This is my last SEA Games, and if possible, I want to create a good memory with the team,” said Haqimi.
“I want to help the team reach the semi-finals first, and then the final.
In the previous edition in Cambodia, the Young Tigers (Harimau Muda) failed to advance to the semi-finals after finishing third in the group stage.
Meanwhile, when asked about the change of venue from Songkhla to Bangkok and the match schedule, the Kuala Lumpur City player said the situation would not affect the team’s focus and preparations.
He said the U-23 squad would be ready to adapt to whatever the organiser determines.
“For me, the change of venue and match schedule does not affect the team. That’s because we have played in Bangkok before.
“It doesn’t matter where we play, we will do our best and fight until the end,” he said.
The Under-23 squad, coached by Nafuzi Zain, have been drawn into Group B and will start their campaign on Dec 6 against Laos before facing Vietnam on Dec 11, at the Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok.
According to the tournament format, only the group winners and one best second-placed team qualify for the semi-finals.
The last time Malaysia won the gold medal in the SEA Games football event was in 2011 in Jakarta, Indonesia. — Bernama
