KUALA LUMPUR: Armed with some Spanish experience, Sikh Izhan Nazrel Sikh Azman hopes to play a key role for Malaysia in the Asean Football Federation (AFF) Under-23 championship in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
The national youth goalkeeper recently had a month-long stint with La Liga 2 club CF Fuenlabrada.
Sikh Izhan, 19, who plays for Selangor, said he aims to be Malaysia's first choice keeper in the AFF meet.
He hopes to cement his place in the team in the absence of Kuala Lumpur City custodian Azri Ghani, who was Malaysia's first choice in the Under-23 Asian Cup qualifiers last October.
"Training in Spain was a bit different (compared to Malaysia) in terms of weather and intensity," he said.
Meanwhile, national left-back Ahmad Zikri Khalili, who was called up just four days before the AFF Under-23 starts on Tuesday, said he hopes Malaysia will win the title.
Aside from Ahmad Zikri and Sikh Izhan, Azrin Afiq Rusmini and Harith Haiqal Adam Afkar also received late call-ups from national Under-23 coach Brad Maloney.
"It's a chance for us to show what we can do in the AFF Under-23. My target in the AFF is that Malaysia become champions," said Ahmad Zikri.
Malaysia, who are drawn in Group B, will first meet Myanmar at Prince Stadium on Tuesday before playing Laos on Feb 18 and Indonesia on Feb 21.