Sports Minutes: Haziq Kamarudin on Jurong goals and Jakarta dreams after maiden call-up to Gavin Lee's squad

SPEAKER_1 (0:01)

Sports Minutes with Zia-ul Raushan on MoneyFM 89.3.

Zia-ul Raushan (0:05)

MoneyFM 89.3, it's time for Sports Minutes with me, Zia-ul Raushan. The FIFA ASEAN Cup is almost upon us. The first edition of this tournament, which means it's the first expedition for our Lions on this front. The first game will be in Jakarta, Indonesia, against the hosts Indonesia. And the first don't stop there, because earning his first call up to the national team is a certain Haziq Kamarudin. And out of arriving in Indonesia, ahead of the big kickoff this Friday, Haziq himself joins us from the Lions. Then, Haziq, welcome to the show. How are you doing?

Haziq Kamarudin (0:39)

I'm good, I'm good. Thank you for having me.

Zia-ul Raushan (0:41)

Excited to have you, Haziq. I know it's via Zoom, so your excitement is being contained, but surely there's plenty of excitement because I want to talk about that national team call up, right? As the cliche goes, you never forget your first. Take me back to that moment when you first found out where were you and how did you feel?

Haziq Kamarudin (1:00)

I was at home, actually, and I was quite surprised, honestly. I didn't expect it. And to be honest, I was just focused on my season at FC Jurong. And when I once I got the call up, I was surprised. Yeah, it was a very proud moment for me.

Zia-ul Raushan (1:19)

I can imagine it being a very proud moment. Who was the first person you told?

Haziq Kamarudin (1:24)

I actually told my mom first and my significant other too.

And then my dad and then my family. And they were all proud of me, of how long it took my journey. And they've been through everything with me. So yeah, it's been a very good moment.

Zia-ul Raushan (1:43)

Amongst all the people you spoke to, was there any reaction that really stood out for you? Maybe your significant other or your mom hugged you or something?

Haziq Kamarudin (1:51)

Because my mom wasn't in Singapore. So my significant other, and she was telling me how proud she is. And she was more excited than me actually.

And then once my mom came back, then everything was good. Like we hugged, we talked for a while. Even my dad was there.

Zia-ul Raushan (2:14)

And Haziq, I must say this, you're not going to forget 18 September 2026 in a hurry because the call-up was made official. And then you line up for FC Jurong against Haogang United and you score, right? And a real daisy cutter of a goal as well, because I saw that you saw the keeper of his line and you decided to beat him, right? What was going through your mind when you scored?

Haziq Kamarudin (2:37)

To be honest, I had a feeling that I was going to score that day. And like been preparing well during trainings and trying to get goal contributions this season. That's one of my goals this season.

And yeah, especially Honda, he told me like try to score as many goals as I can. And that's my goal for this season.

Zia-ul Raushan (3:00)

And Honda's name will come up again in this conversation. But talk to me then about the goal celebration because quite conveniently, the camera was right there. You score, you go to the camera. I couldn't see what exactly you were celebrating.

What was the action you were making?

Haziq Kamarudin (3:16)

I was doing the initials to my significant other. And like, yeah, thanking God too.

That was my celebration.

Zia-ul Raushan (3:25)

And I must ask, in terms of that goal celebration, that euphoria you felt, right? Was that for Haziq Kamarudin, the FC Jurong player, or was that for Haziq Kamarudin, the little boy who dreamt of wearing the radio you're wearing now?

Haziq Kamarudin (3:38)

I would say both because, yeah, I've always wanted to score, and I didn't expect it to go in because Koga is also a very good keeper. So I just tried and yeah, it went in and I'm very happy that it did.

Zia-ul Raushan (3:53)

And Haziq, I'd like to just rewind the clock slightly at this juncture to take you back on that journey, right? If the internet is to be believed, you started out at the LCS Academy and then you spent some time with the Young Lions before joining FC Jurong, previously known as Albrex. What's going through your mind when you make the move Young Lions? I mean, it's fairly obvious why you were there during National Service, but why after that did you decide to join Albrex?

Haziq Kamarudin (4:18)

Oh, because the team of champions, so they won the league many times. So I just wanted to know their culture and how, the way they do things and the trainings and stuff. So that's why I made that move.