Kokot in fight for Harimau spot

Seven matches far from enough, but Felda player won’t give up

PETALING JAYA: When Ariff Farhan Isa moved to Felda United, he had one overarching goal – to get himself into the national team reckoning.

Once a prodigy for Kedah and Harimau Muda, the 23-year-old rightback started the Super League season well, creating chances after chances in all four games and even scoring once as Felda won one match, drew two and lost once.

They beat Melaka 3-2 and even held table-toppers Johor Darul Ta’zim (1-1) in Johor Baru.

With the league set to return, the player fondly known as Kokot has seven matches to impress national coach Tan Cheng Hoe.

But seven matches may not be enough as he has for competition established stars like Johor Darul Ta’zim’s Matthew Davies, Selangor’s Syahmi Safari, Perak’s Amirul Azhan Aznan, Kedah’s Rizal Ghazali and Melaka’s Wan Amirul Afiq Wan Rahman for the rightback spot.

Still, the 1.68m tall defender is not about to give up without a fight. He is ready to battle to the end to stake a claim in the national team.

“I will give my all in these seven games. First, I want to help Felda finish top five in the league, and then, hopefully, get a spot in coach Tan’s squad,” he said.

“I know the competition for the rightback spot is one of the toughest in the national team, but I cannot give up. I cannot tell myself that I will not get it just because there are other players

“If you think you are weak, you will never get anything. I made my professional debut at the age of 16, and since then, I have gone through many phases, but I have always believed in my game. I just have to keep on fighting.”

When Ariff was 16, he was the youngest player to play in the Singapore League when the Harimau Muda competed there in 2012.

That record is now held by the Young Lions’ nippy frontman Khairin Nadim, who made his debut at 15.

Ariff is back in training with Felda United and is beginning to embrace the “new normal” as teams are not allowed to have a full squad in training.

With only 10 players allowed per session, Ariff said he misses body contacts of the usual training sessions but understands that the standard operating procedures are in place for their own safety.

“You feel a little isolated at times because you cannot go for tackles and contacts. Also, with only 10 players, you can only focus on fitness and passing drills.

“It does feel a little weird, but coach (Nidzam Jamil) always makes sure that we are in high spirits for every session.”