BY ZULHILMI ZAINAL Follow on Twitter
Malaysia U23 midfielder Danial Amier Norhisham's stock has risen, following his goal against Saudi Arabia U23 in their 2018 AFC U-23 Championship group match last week.
His 29th minute thundering shot from inside the Saudi penalty box was enough to help Malaysia spring a shock 1-0 win in their final Group C match, and sent them through to the quarter-finals, the first Southeast Asian side to do so in the continental competition history.
From a mostly-reserve player in head coach Datuk Ong Kim Swee's squad, he is now ready to step into the limelight, and the 20-year old Felda United player has also generated interest from other Malaysian clubs.
"I had not expected to be making such a huge contribution, after all I wasn't as well-known to everyone. I don't want to sound as if it has gone to my head, but praise Allah, this is good for my career. I will use it as motivation to go further
"Before the tournament I was mostly a back-up player, but I worked hard in training and left the rest to the coach. And he then showed his belief in me," said Danial when met by the press at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport on Monday.
According to him, the growth he has shown in the tournament has generated interest from other clubs.
"Several clubs have inquired, but for now I just want to focus on Felda. I want to help them return to the Super League. It depends on my club really, and I haven't agreed to anything as I'm still with Felda and the new season is about to kick off.
"I want to use the experience I've picked up from the AFC tournament to help me play better with Felda," he explained.
The Fighters ended the 2017 Super League in third place, but were demoted by the league organiser due to club licensing issues.
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