KUALA LUMPUR, March 17 — Missing out on national team selection has strengthened Ahmad Khuzaimi Piee’s resolve to fight his way back in.
The 23-year-old was a shoo-in at leftback but fate dealt a cruel blow when three days before the team departed for the AFF Cup last December, he pulled his hamstring in training with the Under-22 squad and had to be withdrawn. It was his first national call-up and the disappointment was palpable.
He focused on getting back to fitness and helping Melaka United’s campaign in the Super League.
After eight games, Khuzaimi has been used sparingly. He played 60 minutes of their first match against Selangor and came on as a substitute a few more times after that.
His hamstring has not fully healed and he admits it’s disappointing.
“Can’t do anything at the moment, only when I’m fully recovered will I have a shot at making the national team again,” said Khuzaimi.
“I felt the tightness recently but it’s just that and not a tear.”
After a draw and two losses to open the campaign, Melaka United registered a hattrick of wins against PKNS (in the FA Cup), Sarawak and Kelantan.
“Just as we started syncing with each other some of our guys picked up injuries and had to be withdrawn,” said Khuzaimi.
“Some of our guys are playing with niggling injuries and it’s affecting our performance.”
Leftback is becoming a problem position for national coach Datuk Ong Kim Swee. He called up another Melaka United player Khair Jones, who can play leftback, left wing and as a central defender, to fill in the void left by the Khuzaimi and Nazirul Naim Che Hashim who is out injured.
