PETALING JAYA: Defender Muhammad Syahmi Safari believes it’s time for him to nail a starting spot in the Harimau Malaya squad.
Ahead of the team’s opening Group D match in the 2026 World Cup/2027 Asian Cup Qualifiers against Kyrgyzstan today (Nov 16), Muhammad Syahmi, who is fondly known as Syahmi Safari, said he would repay the trust placed in him if he is given the chance to become a first-choice player.
The 25-year-old Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) player vowed to give his full commitment each time he dons the national jersey.
“Every player will give his 100 per cent and this will indirectly benefit the team,” he said when met during the national team’s training session at Wisma FAM (Football Association of Malaysia) in Kelana Jaya here yesterday.
The former Selangor FC player used to be a first-choice defender in the national team but dropped to being a second choice when South Korean Kim Pan Gon took over as the national team head coach.
Meanwhile, commenting on their game against Kyrgyzstan, he admitted that the backline will have to be wary of the threat posed by coach Stefan Tarkovic’s men, who usually launch speedy attacks from the flanks.
“We need to be better prepared because the Qualifiers can help us in terms of climbing up the rankings and qualifying automatically for the Asian Cup,” he said.
As for team morale, he said everything was good and that all the players continued to be fully committed to training.
Malaysia will take on Kyrgyzstan at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil before travelling to Taipei for their second Group D game against Taiwan on Nov 21.
Malaysia will then take on Oman away and at home next year on March 21 and 26 respectively before completing their Group D fixtures with an away game against Kyrgyzstan on June 6 and a home match against Taiwan on June 11. – Bernama
