POLICE midfielder Ahmad Ezrie Shafizie Sazali and defender Afif Amiruddin grew up playing youth football together in Kelantan, dreaming of one day making it to the professional level.
But they never imagined they would be standing side-by-side on the training field hoping to don national colours for the first time.
Ahmad Ezrie and Afif reported for centralised training with the national team for their first time on Friday and both did enough to impress coach Dollah Salleh.
“When you are an 18-year-old, just starting out with the state youth team, you never imagined this in your wildest dreams. It’s fun for us to share this experience,” said the 28-year-old Ahmad Ezrie.
“We grew up together playing football in Kelantan. Even as our careers had taken us different places, he’s a guy that I’ve stayed very close with and count as one of my closest friends.”
Ahmad Ezrie and Afif first played for Kelantan’s President Cup team in 2005 before representing the senior side a year later.
While Afif moved to Police in 2007, Ahmad Ezrie spent three seasons with Kelantan before plying his trade with Johor in 2010.
Both were reunited again this season when Ahmad Ezrie signed with Premier League champions Police, then under coach Dollah.
The 51-year-old Dollah described Ahmad Ezrie and Afif as among the most talented players in the country.
“I knew nothing much about them when I joined Police late last year. It took me sometime before I realised they are very good players.
“When I was with Police, Ahmad Ezrie spent a lot of time on the bench before I used him as a replacement for Mohd Fauzi Majid in one of the Premier League matches. He took the chance and impressed me right away,” said the former international.
Ahmad Ezrie’s qualities on the pitch even had Safiq Rahim on the bench for several matches when he was with Darul Ta’zim in 2013.
“I need options in midfield and Ahmad Ezrie fits into my plans. However, he needs to work hard as I have other talented players in the training squad,” said Dollah.
On the selection of Afif, the coach felt the defender should have been give a national call up before his time.
“Afif uses his height to good effect in matches. He was one of my key players when I was with Police,” Dollah added.
Dollah’s side will face Indonesia on Sept 14 as part of their preparations for the AFF Cup in November. By Ajitpal Singh