KUALA LUMPUR: Goalkeeper Azim Al Amin hopes to be the first name in Malaysia's starting lineup for next month's Under-23 Asian Cup in Qatar.
The custodian was among the bright sparks for KL City in their fine run to the AFC Cup final in 2022, and his rising stock saw him snapped up by Selangor for the 2024 season.
However, his path to the Under-23 starting XI is not clear as he will have to vie with his new Selangor teammate Sikh Izhan Nazrel Sikh Azman, who is loaned out to Penang, and Syahmi Adib Haikal Mohd Shukri
Azim said he hopes to get the nod from team coach Juan Torres Garrido ahead of his rivals.
"There's fierce competition among the goalkeepers in the team because everyone who's here has a reputation, and some even play for their respective senior teams in the M-League)," he said.
"I think there is healthy competition among us to impress the coach. I need to work harder and show my abilities, and from there, the coach will see."
The FA of Malaysia has set a lofty semifinal target for the team at the Under-23 Asian Cup in Doha from April 15-May 3.
Malaysia are drawn in 2Group D with Uzbekistan, Vietnam and Kuwait. Malaysia need to finish among the top three in Doha to qualify for the Paris Olympics in July.