While Perak rarely require his services, striker Shahrel Fikri Fauzi has done enough to warrant a spot in national coach Tan Cheng Hoe’s squad for the 2022 World Cup/2023 Asian Cup qualifying match against Indonesia on Thursday.
Shahrel is hardly used by Perak in the M-League as coach Mehmet Durakovic prefers foreigners to lead the attack.
Understandably, Shahrel feels his confidence has been affected following failure to play regularly in the M-League.
Having made his international debut against Syria in 2017, Shahrel has picked up 15 caps and scored five goals so far for the national team.
His most memorable outing was scoring a hat-trick in the 5-1 thrashing of Timor Leste in the pre-qualifiers in June.
On Friday, the 25-year-old replaced Hadin Azman in the 71st minute in the 1-0 defeat to Jordan in Bukit Jalil.
However, he was unhappy with his form in the match.
“Although I am not a great player, I always try to give my best in matches. Today (Friday), I did not perform well,” said Shahrel on Friday.
“At Perak, I rarely get a chance to play, so this is probably why I don’t have the confidence.
“Probably, I am not showing enough in training when I am with Perak. I am not sure how to describe it as I always give my best.”
Asked whether he was hoping to join another M-League team next season, Shahrel added: “I still have one more year on my contract with Perak, so I will remain with the club.
“I have no issues with Perak coach Durakovic. I want to do my best for Perak but maybe the coach prefers foreigners to lead his team’s attack.”
After Indonesia, the national team will take on the United Arab Emirates in Bukit Jalil on Sept 10.
“Indonesia have some good young players. As for UAE, they are an experienced team but we hope to do well against them as we are feeling confident with our game,” he added.