ADAM HOPING FOR FIRST CAP
Versatile defender wants to see action against North Korea
REPORTS BY DEVINDER SINGH devinder@nst.com.my
ADAM Nor Azlin’s versatility has always been an attraction to coaches of the teams he plays for and now he hopes to convince national trainer Nelo Vingada to field him against North Korea tomorrow.
Despite being called up eight times by Vingada and his predecessor Ong Kim Swee, Adam has yet to make his senior team debut and was left on the bench in last month’s 2-0 defeat to Hong Kong.
However, the two Asian Cup qualifiers against North Korea tomorrow and Monday in Buriram, Thailand present Adam with a chance to finally earn his first cap.
“I haven’t had the chance to play for the national team yet so I have to continue working hard to improve my performance and try to convince the coach to field me even if it is as a substitute,” said Adam, a mainstay in defence for Selangor and the national Under22 team at the Kuala Lumpur Sea Games in August.
“It’s the second time coach Vingada has called me up and I feel his training is different from others as it allows me to expand my horizon. I’m adapting to what the coach wants so that I can be of help to the team in any match.”
Adam is equally adept at playing in attack or midfield, but hopes to challenge for a place among the defenders.
But Adam has his work cut out for him as Fadhli Shas and Shahrom Kalam are ahead of him in the pecking order for the centre-back positions.
“I think I’ve been called up to cover for centre-back as Vingada knows me better as a defender.
“But if a need arises and I am asked to fill in as a forward or as a midfielder then I am ready to do that. I think I should be able to adapt as quickly as possible,” he said.
Adam is not the only player in the 23-man squad looking to win a first cap as Johor Darul Ta’zim midfielder Afiq Fazail, Perak midfielder Ahmad Khairil Anuar Zamri, Pahang midfielder Nor Azam Azih and Kedah forward Syafiq Ahmad are also hoping to play.
Malaysia, bottom of Group B with one point from three matches, are in desperate need of a win against North Korea to revive their qualifying campaign for the 2019 Asian Cup in the United Arab Emirates.
“In football nothing is impossible but we should not underestimate the challenge of North Korea.
“We know that they are on a different level so it is going to be tough. But if we work as a unit then it’s not impossible to get a result.”