PETALING JAYA: The Malaysia Under-23 team are banking on a new-look strike force for a successful mission in the Asean Football Federation (AFF) Under-23 Championship in Rayong, Thailand.
Coach E. Elavarasan, who usually has Haqimi Azim Rosli as the main man up front, will have a new weapon in the form of Harith Akif Shahar (pic).
The 22-year-old plays for Kelantan in the Super League and has shown his value in recent weeks despite his team’s insipid performances.
In the MFL Cup, he started 12 games with the Red Warriors and scored four goals, and has scored two in seven Super League starts.
Harith’s six-goal tally convinced Elavarasan to pick him for the first time with the hope of him delivering some goals for the Harimau Muda.
Harith is expected to be partnered with the likes of Aliff Izwan Yuslan and Daryl Sham George upfront.
His first assignment, though, will be a tough one as Malaysia take on arch rivals Indonesia at the Rayong Provincial Stadium today.
“I don’t know how to sum up my feelings. Since I was a boy, I’ve been hoping to play for Malaysia and now that dream is coming true,” said Harith, who started playing football at the age of seven in England when his mother was furthering her studies in York.
“I’m grateful for this opportunity and I intend to make full use of this call-up. I want to help the team go all the way, hopefully lifting the title.”
Being a first-timer in the Under-23 squad, Harith admitted that he was nervous but when he got to train with the team and learn the ways of the coach, he started feeling more comfortable.
“I was very nervous at first but as I mingled with the boys, trained with them, I felt more at ease.’’
On the expectations of him scoring goals, Harith said his aim is to help the team win matches first.
“The important thing is to help the team win but if I score, that’s great too.’’
In the competition, Malaysia are in Group B with Indonesia and Timor Leste. Hosts Thailand, Cambodia, Brunei and Myanmar in Group A while Group C consist of defending champions Vietnam, the Philippines and Laos.
The champions of each group and the best second-placed team advance to the semi-finals.
After Indonesia, Malaysia will take on Timor Leste on Aug 22.
