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| ALTO LINUS … is determined to prove his worth with the national team. |
And the Keningau-born lad cannot wait to prove his worth and is determined to earn a permanent place in the national senior team dubbed as the Harimau Malaya.
Alto, who started as a striker when he penned his first professional contract with Sabah in 2009, is one of the two players from the State Super League side to receive the SOS from national coach Datuk K. Rajagopal, who is in the hunt for new blood in preparing for the AFF Suzuki Cup, which is scheduled for later this year.
The other is custodian Syed Adney Syed Hussien. With the latest inclusion, there are three players from the State squad fighting for a place in the national team. Earlier on Labuan-born flanker Shahrudin Yakup was the first to have received the national call-up.
As for Syed Adney, he is no stranger to the national team, as he was part of the national Under-23 side in 2006-2007 before climbing the ranks to the senior squad for two years (2008-2009).
Alto, when contacted in Terengganu yesterday, said: “I don’t know what to say other than to say thank you (to the national coach) for giving me this golden opportunity. It is like a dream come true. And I’m very, very happy.”
“In fact, I’m itching to prove myself and I will do my very best to gain a place in the national team for the AFF Suzuki Cup,” he added.
Sabah team manager Hj Shahriman Abdullah was pleased to see that more and more players from Sabah are getting national attention, which he says is a proven fact that they are pretty much on the right track in the sport.
“This clearly shows that we are progressing pretty well as our players continue to receive national attention with another two getting the call-up after Shahrudin Yakup got the same assignment last month.
“I think this reflects well on the FA … it shows that we are doing something right as more of our players continue to catch the eye of the national coach.
Shahriman, who is also the Sabah FA treasurer, said the exposure from joining the national team would help the Sabah players to enhance their skills.
He said the experience and exposure they receive would later benefit the squad upon their return to state duty.
The state team led by head coach, Justin Ganai departed for Terengganu yesterday and are looking to add points to their tally to continue their climb in the 14-team Super League standings.
They are currently sixth in the table with 13 points from three wins and four draws after nine matches into the season.
They take on Terengganu on Saturday where victory will see them climbing up the ladder in the standings.
