KUALA LUMPUR: Izham Tarmizi Roslan is relieved that the goalkeeper's job in the national team has not fallen to "foreign hands".
For now, the job between the posts is still for people born in Malaysia.
However, many of the positions in the national team, from the backline to the frontline, have been taken over by foreign-born players after becoming "naturalised".
The national goalkeeping position is safe for now is because M-League clubs use local goaltenders with the exception of KL City who fielded Filipino keeper Kevin Ray Mendoza last season.
Sri Pahang player Izham, who last earned a national call-up in 2017, said for now the goalkeeping position is the only one that local players do not need to worry about being taken by a naturalised footballer.
"I think it's a positive thing. The competition for the goalkeeping post is tough with plenty of choices (for national team). There is still a chance for us (goalkeepers)."
Izham, 33, hopes to don Harimau Malaya jersey again but to do that, he must impress national selectors to get ahead of Syihan Hazmi, Azri Ghani and Sikh Izhan Nazrel Sikh Azman.
"I think I need to improve because I haven't played a lot. But if I'm called, then it's luck.
"I do think there are better goalkeepers out there who are steady. Everyone has their own opportunities," said Izham.