Friendly games against India will be handy for national U-23 keeper Azim
PETALING JAYA: Young Selangor goalkeeper Azim Al-Amin (pic) hopes to get a “hands-on” fitness test in the Malaysian team’s friendly matches against India on March 22 and 25 ahead of the AFC Under-23 Asian Cup from April 15-May 3 in Doha, Qatar.

For Azim, one of three custodians in Spaniard Juan Torres Garrido’s side, said the games against the Indian youth team will determine whether he’s fully match fit to face some of the region’s top youth sides.

For now, Azim appears to have an edge over the two other keepers – Rahadiazli Rahalim and Sikh Izhan Sikh Nazrel Azman – in the squad in terms of fitness but he’s not taking anything for granted.

“I already started pre-season training with Selangor at the end of January, so there has been lots of training and also a pre-season trip to Bangkok, where we played a friendly match,” he said.

“But I did not get to play a full match as the coach made a lot of changes to try out different players during the game.

“Generally, I think I’m at the right fitness level, but it’s match fitness that will determine how well you do in tournaments like the Asian Cup.

“So the two friendly matches against India will be a big help to see if I’m at the match fitness level that’s required.”

Azim said that he would never think that his spot in the team is assured as the other keepers Rahadiazli and Sikh Izhan are also putting in the effort to land a regular place.

“Rahadiazli and Sikh Izhan have played for their clubs in the Super League, and they have the qualities to fill the role in the national Under-23 team.”

Azim is one of the Under-23 players who reported for duty on the first day of the centralised training camp on Sunday ahead of the friendlies against India.

When the team arrive in Doha on March 31, they will play two more friendlies against the Under-23 sides of China (April 3) and Qatar (April 7).

In the Asian Cup, Malaysia are in Group D with Uzbekistan, Vietnam and Kuwait.
Football,Malaysia Under-23,AFC U-23 Asian Cup,Azim Al-Amin,Azim Al-Amin,AFC Under-23 Asian Cup
PETALING JAYA: Young Selangor goalkeeper Azim Al-Amin (pic) hopes to get a “hands-on” fitness test in the Malaysian team’s friendly matches against India on March 22 and 25 ahead of the AFC Under-23 Asian Cup from April 15-May 3 in Doha, Qatar.