NOT DEMORALISED
Khairul ready to serve national team despite Malaysia’s poor standards
RODLY FADLY nstsport@nst.com.my
MALAYSIA’S dismal World No 174 ranking will not discourage Khairul Helmi Johari from serving the national football team.
The Kedah captain hopes to fight his way back into Harimau Malaya after he was dropped from Nelo Vingada’s squad for the 2019 Asia Cup qualifiers against North Korea recently.
Defender Khairul, who feels he can still contribute to the national team, said: “I have not thought about retiring from international football. I am ready to play for the national team if I am given the chance.
“I do not consider being dropped as being a sign that my days with the national team are over.
“In fact, I see it as a challenge to keep improving myself and be selected again.
“I really want to help the national team improve on their international ranking.”
The 29-year-old believes he can still be an asset despite the critics calling for younger players to be drafted into the national team following Malaysia’s disastrous performance in the Asia Cup qualifiers.
“For the long term, I think it is good to bring in young players but we still need players with experience to balance things out.
“Our losses to North Korea recently showed that our young players are not ready to compete at the highest level.
“They have potential but just lack the experience for now,” he said.
Khairul is confident the national team will bounce back with the right mix of young and experienced players, and that Vingada remains in charge, and not given the sack.
“We have to be patient. We might not be ready to compete at Asian level but the AFF Cup next year is the perfect platform for us to restore our image.”