MALAYSIAN striker Luqman Hakim Shamsudin made an instant impact with his new club, KV Kortrijk (KVK) by scoring a goal yesterday.
The 18-year-old was given a taste of the action in KVK's Under-21 team against KRC Gent in a friendly match.
And Luqman, duly delivered what he was signed by Berjaya Group founder Tan Sri Vincent Tan's Belgian team for - goal(s).
The Malaysian got the only goal for KVK. However, he was replaced in the 60th minute with the game tied at 1-1.
And after Luqman left the field, his team couldn't score any more as they lost 4-1.
KVK tweeted and congratulated Luqman, saying the Malaysian had scored his first goal on European soil for their Under-21 team.
The lad from Kota Baru said while the goal has boosted his confidence, he wants to improve on several aspects of his game in order to break into the KVK league team.
"I'm thrilled to have completed the Covid-19 quarantine and was able to train with the team for the past three days," said Luqman.
"It was a wonderful feeling to finally wear the KV Kortrijk jersey even though it was just a warm-up match with the second team.
"I scored one goal, but we lost. I played for about 60 minutes. I need to improve my physical strength and take my fitness level up several notches.
"God willing, I can start playing with the team in the Belgian First Division League in 10 days' time."
A KVK spokesperson said he was impressed with Luqman, especially with him scoring the goal.
The goal was the perfect morale-booster ahead of the Malaysian teenager's debut with the KVK first team in the Belgian league.
"Luqman has everything going for him. He is young. Now, we have seen his ability with his first goal for the club, which is impressive even though it was in a friendly game," said the KVK official.
"This match tested his fitness level. It was apparent we need to work on his physical strength.
"The Belgium first division is highly-competitive, and Luqman must be prepared for the tough matches."
Luqman thanked his foster family, whom he is staying with in the city of Kortrijk for their immense support.
Luqman said he was able to adjust quickly to life in Belgium, thanks to his foster father, Arnout Vercruysse.
"My confidence is increasing day by day. And I have a wonderful foster family who has made it so easy for me to adjust and adapt.
"My foster father is very involved in community work involving food supply," added Luqman.
Vercruysse has a five-year-old son, named Ruben and a seven-year-old daughter, Merel.
"They have all been treating me very well. They even take me to the mosque for my Friday obligations.
"My foster family are ardent KVK supporters. Vercruysse is a very close friend of Mathias Vanheusden, Deputy Head of Mission at the Belgian Embassy in Kuala Lumpur," added Luqman.