Kogi out to earn his stripes
Ex-Harimau Muda star aiming to make an impression with seniors
PETALING JAYA: Teenage striker M. Kogileswaran Raj is keeping his fingers crossed that he will survive the cut as the national Under-23 begin their final phase of preparation for the AFC Under-23 championship in Jiangsu, China from Jan 9-27.
The 19-year-old Pahang striker is looking at making the final 23-player squad as coach Datuk Ong Kim Swee will drop three players during their training-cum-playing stint in Mokpo, South Korea from Dec 17-30.
Kogi, who made his name with the national Under-17 side in 2014, joined Pahang in 2016 after the Harimau Muda was disbanded in 2015 but he struggled to make an impact in the M-League.
The Kuala Lumpur lad said he will continue to work hard to impress Kim Swee who had previously called him up for the 2015 Singapore SEA Games squad.
“I’m targeting a spot in the starting XI in the AFC Under-23 tournament.
“But first I’ll have to double up my effort in Mokpo to be in the final 23,” said Kogi yesterday.
“I want to thank coach Kim Swee for keeping his faith in me.
“He selected me for the Singapore SEA Games when I was just 17. Now I’m much more matured and have also improved as a player.”
Kim Swee dropped three players – goalkeeper Amierul Hakimi Awang of Terengganu FC II, Selangor’s Sean Eugene Selvaraj and the injured Danial Ashraf Abdullah of Kelantan – for the Korean stint.
The squad will leave tomorrow for three friendlies with club sides Mokpo City (Dec 20), Jeonju University (Dec 22) and Jeonju Citizen (Dec 28).
The 45-year-old coach will then name his 23-player squad before they fly off to Nanjing, China on Dec 30, for another friendly on Jan 5.
Kogi, who is comfortable playing as a striker, winger and attacking midfielder, said the jostle to make the squad is tough but he is confident of his abilities.
“This is the national team so all the best players are here.
“Everyone is working hard in training to make the final squad and this will only make the team stronger,” added Kogi.