ON the international front, he idolises Real Madrid scoring machine, Cristiano Ronaldo while on the local front, it is former Selangor hotshot Safee Sali.
At this stage, it is a distant dream for Muhd Asyraf Izal, the 12-year-old striker from Akademi Persatuan Sukan Bintang Biru, Butterworth, to be in the same mould of his two idols.
But he is certainly on the right track to carve out a professional football career.
Thanks to the ongoing 1Malaysia Cardiff City competition at the Rubber Research Institute grounds in Selangor, Asyraf is progressing well in his football.
His team, APS Bintang Biru, are not only perched on top of Group B with an unbeaten record with 27 points from nine matches and a place in the second round but Asyraf is also currently the top scorer in 1MCC with 10 goals. Teammates Muhd Zairul Nurhisyam and Mohd Lokman Hakim have scored eight and seven goals respectively.
"I have a big dream. My dream is not only to play for my country one day but I am determined to make good as a professional footballer," said the unassuming Asyraf after playing a key role in his team's 4-0 win KBR Harimau Klang recently.
"I know I will be able to make it. But I have to work hard and walk the extra mile to achieve my dreams. Players like Ronaldo and Safee inspire me."
APS Bintang Biru chairman S. Sundram said: "Asyraf is one of the better talents in the team. He has good footwork, good headers and power-packed kicks.
"We, in the academy, work on the flaws and polish up their game but a competitive league like Liga 1MCC is the place to groom and expose players like Asyraf."
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