PETALING JAYA: Midfielder Adam Ashraf Johari (pic) achieved his goal of playing in the men’s Junior World Cup after making the Young Tigers final squad for the major competition which will be held in Bukit Jalil from Dec 5-16.
Adam, at 17, is the youngest player in the 18-member squad announced yesterday and the Tumpat-born player has vowed to repay Tigers coach Amin Rahim’s faith in him in the tournament which will be held at the National Hockey Stadium.
Despite being part of the Tigers squad that won the SEA Games gold in Cambodia and reached the semi-finals at the Junior Asia Cup in Oman, both in May, as well as the Sultan of Johor Cup four weeks ago, Adam did not have high hopes of playing in the Junior World Cup.
“Since I am only 17, I did not have much hope of making it to the final squad of the Junior World Cup as I have to compete with players who are older and with more experienced,” said Adam.
“I will do my best in the competition to repay coach Amin’s trust in me.
“Although I have played in three international tournaments this year, I am little nervous as this is a totally different level of competition but I hope to overcome that once the competition gets under way.”
The team will be spearheaded by captain Faris Harizan and his deputy Azmilmuizzuddin Misron, who are both defenders while Malaysia will be relying on Shahmie Irfan Suhaimi, who played for the senior squad in the World Cup in India in January, for goals.
Fariz, midfielder Alfarico Lance Liau Jr and striker Shamir Rizmi Shamsul are the only players with the experience of playing in the 2021 Junior World Cup in Bhubaneswar, India.
Amin, despite assembling a squad where 15 players will be making their debuts, is hopeful his greenhorns will rise to the occasion and put up a respectable performance in the Junior World Cup.
And he is looking forward to young players like Adam to prove their worth in the tournament.
“Hockey is not about age and if Adam has the quality to be part of the team, why not give him that chance even though he is the youngest? The experience he will gain will make a core player to guide the team in two more editions,” said Amin.
“I look at the potential and not the age. If we can get players who are between 13 and 15, I will be more than happy to rope them in to the junior squad.
“Our group rivals Chile have come with a big number of players who are 16 and below and that is good for their future development.
“Having said that we cannot take them lightly as any team that have qualified for the Junior World Cup are good.
“Our objective is to beat Chile and earn three points in the opening match on Dec 5 to have a strong start.”
Malaysia are in Group A with defending champions Argentina, Australia and Chile where the top two teams will advance to the quarter-finals.
The Young Tigers will meet Argentina on Dec 6 and this will be followed by their final group match against Australia on Dec 8.
THE SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Mohd Rafaizul Saini, Danish Afnan Faizal.
Defenders: Faris Harizan, Azmilmuizzuddin Misron, Ahmad Suhaimi Kamaruddin, Wan Mohd Najmie Ahmad Dzaib, Andywalfian Jeffrynus,.
Midfielders: Alfarico Lance Liau Jr, Mughni Mohd Kamal, Danish Aiman Khairil Anuar, Adam Ashraf Johari, Danish Danial Abdul Wahab, Addy Jazmi Jamlus.
Strikers: Shahmie Irfan Suhaimi, Shamir Rizmi Shamsul, Che Nur Aqilrullah Che Khairulzi Anwar, Harris Iskandar Osman, Shafiq Ikhmal Daniel Suzaini.
Reserves: Mohd Khairul Norizam (defender), Eswaran George (striker).
