KUALA LUMPUR: National goalkeeper, Mohd Farizal Marlias, hopes to get into the good books of national football coach K Rajagobal to be the top goalie in the nation’s main eleven football squad.The 23-year-old goalkeeper is now Rajagobal’s second choice after Mohd Sharbinee Allawee Ramli did well and displayed consistency in the Laos Sea Games.
Mohd Farizal was benched and was only fielded twice in group matches in the games that saw Malaysia wrest the gold medal.
“If I can I would like to be the goalkeeper against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to qualify for the 2011 Asian Cup on Jan 6,” he told Bernama here yesterday.
The Perlis Super League keeper said despite whatever team spirit was utmost in his mind.
Mohd Farizal and Mohd Sharbinee are now training at Wisma FAM since last Thursday for the match against UAE which is also the last match in the group level.
“Just like other players, I also do additional training after training by goalkeeping coach, Mohd Faozi Mukhlas, to improve to a higher level,” he said.
Asked about the skills of Mohd Sharbinee, he said the Terengganu Super League keeper was highly confident.
“However I always have healthy competition with him and it is good for both of us,” he said.
Mohd Farizal was earlier the first choice keeper for Rajagobal for international friendlies including the match with Manchester United in July.
His consistency received praise from Rajagobal and he replaced Syed Adney Syed Hussein who is now the top goalkeeper for the Kelantan Super League squad. — Bernama