BURIRAM: Kedah striker Syafiq Ahmad has vowed to repay national coach Nelo Vingada’s faith in him with goals in his first-ever international call-up.
The 22-year-old said he is ready to contribute to the team if given a start when Malaysia play North Korea in the Asian Cup qualifying Group B matches on Friday and Monday at the I-Mobile Stadium in Buriram.
"This is the first time I have been called up and obviously I want to perform well for the team," said Syafiq, who is linked with a move to Johor Darul Ta'zim next season.
"I want to prove to everyone that I deserve a spot and also show all Malaysians what I am capable of."
Syafiq is one of two strikers, the other being Ahmad Hazwan Bakri, selected by Vingada for the assignment.
"We need to win and to do that we need to score so it is a big responsibility for us. I am not too sure about North Korea's strengths and weaknesses...it is better to focus on our strengths,” he added.