PETALING JAYA: He was definitely over the moon, for the country: “But I am happier here than going on a honeymoon with my wife.”
Such was the reaction of Johor Darul Ta’zim’s (JDT) pillar (midfielder) Mohamed Syamer Kutty Abba, whose priority was to answer the national call-up with the Harimau Malaya squad to play in the 2023 Asia Cup from Jan 12 to Feb 10 in Doha instead of honeymooning with his wife Nur Miza Athira.
Despite being forced to leave his wife for a short period just a few days after his recent ‘graduation’, Mohamed Syamer is thankful that his partner in life was most understanding of his undying commitment with the national football squad.
“I have discussed this matter with my wife, she knows my priority is always football. It’s always an honour to get a national call-up and thank you too to the coaching staff for giving me the opportunity to be (listed) in the final squad,” he said at a training session here today.
Mohamed Syamer, who returned to the national squad after last playing in Tier 1 international friendlies last June, said playing in the Asia Cup is every player’s dream.
Thus, Mohamed Syamer is determined to prove himself capable of shouldering the responsibilities entrusted by head coach Kim Pan Gon if he troops into the field with his fellow team mates.
Although the squad this time consists of many quality players, the 26-year-old said the situation was capable of creating healthy competition among players to grab a ticket to the starting line-up at the prestigious Asian football competition.
At the same time, he said that the opportunity to play against a much higher ranked team than the Harimau Malaya, especially South Korea, in Group E, is the platform to prove that the level of Malaysia’s ability has shown a sharp improvement lately.
Meanwhile, Selangor FC defender Ahmad Khuzaimi Piee admitted that he was surprised to be called up for the 2023 Asia Cup final line-up after he was last listed in the national squad for the Tier 1 international friendly against Hong Kong last March.
Ahmad Khuzaimi also hopes that all players can give their ‘all’ in addition to wanting to help the defence reduce simple mistakes made on the field.
Malaysia, who ended a 42-year wait to qualify for the Asia Cup on merit, will face Jordan in the opening action of Group E on Jan 15, followed by Bahrain (Jan 20) and two-time champions South Korea on Jan 25.
The champion and runner-up of each group, along with the top four third-placed teams, will qualify for the round of 16.–Bernama