Game for the big stage: Harith Haiqal going through the drills during a training session with the national team. — FAM
PETALING JAYA: Call it the blessing of Ramadan.
That is how centreback Harith Haiqal Adam Afkar summed up his call-up to the final 25-man squad for the World Cup 2026-Asian Cup 2027 second-round qualifiers against Oman in Group D on March 21 in Muscat and March 26 in Bukit Jalil.
The team boarded the flight to Muscat yesterday as they look to stay top of the table.
The Harimau Malaya have six points from two matches (beat Kyrgyzstan 4-3 and Taiwan 1-0), while Oman are second with three from two games.
The 21-year-old Selangor player was a surprise inclusion but looks like his solid presence at the back despite his young age has impressed national head coach Kim Pan-gon.
Some, however, said he was lucky to make the cut following an injury to Junior Eldstal but Harith said it was fate that had brought him to the team.
“I did not expect to be in the final squad but I guess this is the blessing of Ramadan. Maybe if Junior had reported for training, I would not have been in the squad. But who knows, I could have still made it even with Junior in the team,” he said.
“Luck helps at times but I do not see it that way. I have worked hard for this moment. I gave my everything during the centralised camp, and this opportunity has come my way. I can’t believe that I’m boarding the flight to Muscat,” said Harith before leaving yesterday.
He said the centralised camp had strengthened the team as unit.
“It felt easy mingling with the senior players because each one of them has been professional with the way they had carried themselves,” said Harith.
“Everyone has given their best in the camp and we look forward to a good qualifying campaign, despite the fact most of us are in pre-season mode.’’
The Oman players have the advantage of having their league season ongoing at the moment but we will not be worried about that.”
While he is focused on senior duty right now, Harith knows that he will have his hands full for the next two months as he will also be reporting to the national Under-23 training squad to prepare for the AFC Under-23 Asian Cup from April 15-May 3 in Doha, Qatar.
Malaysia are in Group D with Vietnam, Uzbekistan and Kuwait.
And he will miss the Hari Raya festivities.
“I did see the schedule. It is pretty tight. I am fine with not celebrating Raya this year. I chose this path to be a footballer. I am young, so I have to work hard and make sacrifices so that when I am old, things will be good.
I can look back and say I did good.”
Meanwhile, Harith said he was delighted with the appointment of Nidzam Jamil as the Selangor coach.
“I am happy for him because, for three seasons, he was the assistant. He knows the players well, so that is an advantage,” said the Red Giants player.
“On the field, he is committed and strict but off it, he sees us as kids. I can say he is a father figure who always puts his hands on our shoulders and guides us about life, and about the game too.”
