I’ll earn my spurs
Suzuki Cup star Syamer relishing fight for first XI place in JDT
PETALING JAYA: Midfielder Syamer Kutty Abba may have starred for Malaysia in the AFF Suzuki Cup but his place in Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) is not guaranteed.
Players like Natxo Insa, Gary Steven Robbat, Hariss Harun, Afiq Fazail, Nazmi Faiz Mansor are also in the running for the first XI spot but the 21-year-old said the healthy rivalry within the team will only help him improve.
“I learnt a lot because these players are experienced. I want to get more game time and show the coach (Luciano Figueroa) that I have what it takes to be part of the first eleven,” said Syamer.
“I’ve to work harder because the team will be playing in many competitions this season. It will be a challenging but good year for us.
Syamer only played seven matches in all competitions last year. He was also loaned to Portuguese club Vilaverdense for a few months before reporting for Johor in June.
Being one of the youngsters in the team, he said players like Dominic Tan, Safawi Rasid, Haziq Nadzli and Akhyar Rashid would have to play a more prominent role.
“We can’t just rely on the seniors to deliver. The players will have to work collectively to ensure that our expectations can be achieved.”
He also added that the signings of Mauricio Nascimento, Diogo Santo and Aaron Niguez would only bolster the team.
“In training, you can see they are outstanding players. They came here because they wanted a new challenge.
The Penang-born player is also looking forward to playing in the AFC Champions League (ACL) for the first time.
“To play in the ACL at my age is a real honour. It will be challenging but a good experience for us. This may be our first time, but we want to do well in this tournament,” he said.
The young player was part of JDT’s comprehensive 5-0 win over Singaporean club Home United in the club’s first pre-season match at the Larkin Stadium.
Goals from Gonzalo Cabrera, Niguez, Hariss, Ahmad Hazwan Bakri and Safawi were undoubtedly a warning for rival clubs as JDT seek to retain their Super League title.
Syamer may feature in the Charity Shield match, which will pit JDT against Perak at the Larkin Stadium on Feb 2. JDT are the holders and they have won the Shield three times. Perak last won it in 2006 when they beat Selangor 4-2 at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil.