Syahmi willing to do more to earn Asiad spot

PETALING JAYA: National Under23 player Syahmi Safari (pic) reckons that he needs to do more to cement his place in the Indonesia Asian Games team.

The Selangor starlet made his breakthrough in the 2017 season when he made 26 appearances and scored four goals. This season, he upped the ante by scoring six goals from 18 appearances to date.

But he’s not going to rest on his laurels as he knows that competition will be tough to break into the starting XI for the Asiad from Aug 18-Sept 2.

“Playing for the national team is always a step up. There are so many good players in the team and the level of competition in Asiad will be higher,” said the 20-year-old.

“I’m on form now as I have scored two goals in the last two Super League matches but that’s not enough to prove myself. I have to double my efforts to convince the coach to pick me.”

Syahmi still remembers the disappointment of not featuring in the AFC Under-23 championship in China in January where he was sidelined due to a bout of flu.

The Kuala Selangor lad said his confidence had grown since then as his game has matured compared to last year and he now aimed to be consistent with his performance.

“I’ve been playing in a more attacking role in the flanks for Selangor this season and I’m happy to add that dimension to the game. I need to be more consistent now,” said Syahmi who can play as a winger and right-back.

Datuk Ong Kim Swee’s men will fly to Changzhou, China on Thursday for a friendly match against China Under-23 team on Sunday.

In the Asiad, Malaysia are drawn with defending champions South Korea, Kyrgyzstan, United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain in Group E, they will begin their campaign on Aug 10.