National Team - Lions ● Oct 09, 2018
Huzaifah Aziz gets Lions chance
SINGAPORE, 9 OCTOBER 2018 – Lions Head Coach Fandi Ahmad named a 29-man squad yesterday evening for the National Team’s International Friendlies against Mongolia and Cambodia on 12 and 16 October respectively, with the former to be played at Bishan Stadium and the latter away at Phnom Penh Olympic Stadium.
Having handed the quartet of Zulfadhmi Suzliman, Zulqarnaen Suzliman, Jacob Mahler and Ho Wai Loon their international debuts during last month’s FIFA window, Fandi has the opportunity to add another new name to that list – Huzaifah Aziz.
The Balestier Khalsa FC star is the sole new face in this squad, having earned his first official National Team call-up after impressive performances over the past couple of seasons. We take a quick look at him…
Huzaifah Aziz
Club: Balestier Khalsa FC
Position: Centre midfielder, left winger
Appearances/goals/assists: 25/5/2
The lanky midfielder came through the National Football Academy (now FAS Football Academy) and represented Singapore at Under-13 level through to Under-15, before moving on to playing at Home United FC’s U-18 squad.
Geylang International FC then came calling in 2013 and Huzaifah rose through the Prime League ranks at Bedok Stadium to be promoted to their first team in the 2015 season. His professional bow came on 29 August that year, when he came on as a substitute for Shawal Anuar in a 1-1 draw against Warriors FC. Huzaifah would play 12 times that year, all coming off the bench.
Get your tickets for the Mongolia game here and for the Suzuki Cup here!
The following year, Huzaifah signed for Hougang United FC and played 20 times across all competitions, before moving to his current side in 2017. Under Head Coach Marko Kraljevic, the 24-year-old flourished in a central midfield position, scoring twice in 24 games and bagged the Goal of the Year accolade at last year’s FAS Nite.
This season, the silky left-footed midfielder has already scored four times and is one of the Tigers’ key players, standing out with his eye for a pass and dead-ball ability.
The nephew of Lions legend Malek Awab, Huzaifah’s performances were rewarded with a call-up to the National Team’s Monday training sessions earlier this year and he has now been given a chance to stake his claim for the AFF Suzuki Cup squad with this official call-up.
