Penangite Daniel Phoon Chun Tuck and Kumaran Raman of Selangor will represent Malaysia at the Allianz Junior Football Camp (AJFC) in Munich, Germany from 27 to 31 August 2018.
The players had thoroughly impressed former FC Bayern player and Coach of International Program, Carsten Lakies during the recently concluded AJFC Asia 2018 at Krungthep Thonburi University Campus, Bangkok from 16 to 19 July 2018.
āI am beyond thrilled because I never expected I would be going to Munich. I learn so much here at AJFC Asia and I want to thank Allianz for the opportunity. It will be my first time going to Germany and I am excited that I will get to meet some of the Bayern Munich players like Thiago Alcantara,ā said Daniel, the 16-year-old midfielder from Penang Free School during the press conference to announce the winners of AJFC Asia 2018 at Krungthep Thonburi University Campus today.
Striker Kumaran, 15, from SMK USJ4 also chimed in āI am very happy, excited that I will get the chance to train with Bayern Munich. I know it will be an amazing experience.ā
The duo along with Muhammad Adam Nadzmi Zamri from Penang, Muhammad Ashriq Izzat Mazlan, Muhammad Akmal Abdul Rashid and Muhammad Hafiz Izzudin Az-Har from Kedah,Ā Mohamad Khairol Syafiq Hairol Azri from Pahang, Mohammad Zharmien Ashraf Ismail from Sarawak as well as Eisanraaj K. Maniarasan and Muhammad Lukman HakimĀ Mohd Azli from Selangor were amongst 57 teenagers aged between 14 and 16 from China, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, Laos, Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand who attended AJFC Asia this year.
Only nine players from these countries were chosen to represent Asia at AJFC in Munich.
On the AJFC, Carsten Lakies said: āWe all have something in common – a love for football ā and Iām delighted to have seen this enthusiasm throughout the four day camp and wish all the best to everyone who took part.ā
During the camp, the young footballers participated in daily training sessions which culminated with a tournament on 19 July 2018 to determine the winners from each country. Part of AJFC Asia included get-together activities, My Finance Coach programme (financial literacy programme) and a cultural performance by the participants.Ā
AJFC is an annual football event held globally since 2009 with AJFC Malaysia debuting in 2012 followed by AJFC Asia in 2013. The AJFC Malaysia League officially launched in Kuala Lumpur on 2 March 2018 and was open to teams of 18 players aged between 14 to 16 years old.
This is the 10th year that the Allianz Junior Football Camp is being held globally. This year, Malaysia was part of the event for the seventh consecutive year and has thus far witnessed the talents of 7,432 young aspiring footballers.
