Jafri wants to excel with PKNS and the national team
PETALING JAYA: Young striker Muhammad Jafri Muhammad Firdaus Chew has vowed to fight for his place in the Malaysian Under-23 squad and club PKNS.
The 21-year-old Penangite played 22 matches for PKNS in the Super League last season, but only 14 of them were first-team appearances.
Admitting that lack of games hampered his playing rhythm last season, Jafri hopes to get more opportunity with the club by fighting for a spot in the team.
By getting more games, Jafri will have a better chance of featuring regularly for the Malaysian Under-23 side led by Datuk Ong Kim Swee.
“I want to get a regular spot this season. I need to increase my playing time and ensure my rhythm is not affected,” said the former Penang striker.
“To get a striker’s spot is going to be impossible because it’ll be given to an import player. So I want to be adaptable and I’m ready to play as a winger.”
Jafri wants to help PKNS get good results and better their standings in the Super League for 2019.
“This season we finished third. We’ve gelled well and coach Rajagopal is experienced enough to lead us to success next season,” he said.
The youngster has been working on his combination with the new arrivals Muhammad Ariff Farhan Md Isa, Mohamad Fandi Othman, Muhammad Akram Mahinan and Syafiq Shaharudin
“Pre-season has been good so far, but we need to work on our tactics before the season starts.
Jafri also wants to help Malaysia qualify for the AFC Under-23 Championship by doing well in the upcoming qualifiers in Kuala Lumpur in March.
Malaysia are in Group J with China, Laos and the Philippines and will have to win the group or be one of the five second bestplaced teams to get into the Finals.
The top four finishers in the Finals will qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.