Sikh Izhan Explained

Sikh Izhan Nazrel
Fullname:Sikh Izhan Nazrel bin Sikh Azman[1]
Birth Date:2002 3, df=yes
Birth Place:Seberang Jaya, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia.
Currentclub:Penang
(on loan from Selangor)
Clubnumber:23
Position:Goalkeeper
Youthyears1:2007–2012
Youthclubs1:Bintang Biru Academy
Youthyears2:2012–2014
Youthclubs2:NFDP
Youthyears3:2015
Youthclubs3:Malaysia Pahang Sports School
Youthyears4:2016
Youthclubs4:Bukit Jalil Sports School
Youthyears5:2017–2019
Youthclubs5:NFDP
Years1:2020
Clubs1:Selangor II
Caps1:31
Goals1:0
Years2:2021–
Clubs2:Selangor
Caps2:1
Goals2:0
Years3:2023
Clubs3:Negeri Sembilan (loan)
Caps3:14
Goals3:0
Years4:2024–
Clubs4:Penang (loan)
Caps4:0
Goals4:0
Nationalyears1:2015
Nationalteam1:Malaysia U13
Nationalyears2:2015–2018
Nationalteam2:Malaysia U16
Nationalyears3:2019–2021
Nationalteam3:Malaysia U19
Nationalyears4:2021–
Nationalteam4:Malaysia U23
Nationalcaps4:1
Nationalgoals4:0
Nationalyears5:2023–
Nationalteam5:Malaysia
Nationalcaps5:1
Nationalgoals5:0
Club-Update:16:24, August 9, 2023 (UTC)
Nationalteam-Update:20 June 2023

Sikh Izhan Nazrel bin Sikh Azman (Arabic: Malay: الشيخ إيدهان نازريل بن الشيخ أزمان |label=[[Jawi alphabet|Jawi]]|script=arab|italic=unset; born 23 March 2002) is a Malaysian professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Malaysia Super League club Penang, on loan from Selangor, and the Malaysia national team.

Early life

Sikh Izhan was born in Seberang Jaya, Penang, Malaysia and is the third child among four siblings.[2]

At the age of five, Sikh Izhan joined Bintang Biru Academy. At the age of ten, he was spotted by while playing in a tournament and invited got him on the Project 2019 team, citing his size. He travel alone by bus from Penang every weekend to train with the team in Bukit Jalil until the age of 12. He was transferred to Malaysia Pahang Sports School at the age of 13 and transferred to the Bukit Jalil Sports School next year. He moved once again at the age of 15 to the Mokhtar Dahari Academy.

Sikh Izhan was part of the national youth squad that won the 2015 Iber Cup in Spain and 2016 SuperMokh Cup. He also was once nominated as the Goalkeeper of the Tournament in the 2016 Elite Cup in France.[3]

Club career

Selangor

On 26 February 2020, Selangor has announced Sikh Izhan as Selangor II new signing.[4] On 13 August 2021, Sheikh Izhan made his debut for the first-team aged 19. He conceded two goals in an away league match against Kedah Darul Aman as Selangor won 2–4.[5]

CF Fuenlabrada trial

In November 2021, Spanish Segunda División side CF Fuenlabrada invited Sikh Izhan to attends trials with the club.[6] In the same month, the club stated that they want to extend the trial period. He trained with both the first team and the under-22 squad during the trial session.[7]

Negeri Sembilan (loan)

On 18 January 2023, Sikh Izhan joined Negeri Sembilan on a season-long loan.[8]

International career

Youth

Sikh Izhan represented the Malaysian at various youth levels.[9] He was part of the 2018 AFC U-16 Championship squad.[10]

Senior

Sikh Izhan made his senior international debut in a 10–0 win over Papua New Guinea on 20 June 2023.[11] He was part of the squad to represent Malaysia at the 2023 AFC Asian Cup in Qatar though he didn't make any single appearance.

Career statistics

Club

[12] [13]

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueCupLeague CupContinentalTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Selangor II2020Malaysia Premier League4040
2021Malaysia Premier League160160
2022Malaysia Premier League110110
Total310310
Selangor2021Malaysia Super League10000010
2022Malaysia Super League00000000
Total1000000010
Negeri Sembilan (loan)2023Malaysia Super League1402000160
Career total460200000480

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Kenali Pemain Malaysia di AFC U16 - Sikh Izhan Nazrel Sikh Azman. Football Association of Malaysia. 18 September 2018.
  2. Web site: Meet Sikh Izhan, Malaysia U-19 goalkeeper who travelled 600km to weekly training by himself at age 10 Goal.com. 2022-01-05. www.goal.com.
  3. Web site: KENALI PEMAIN MALAYSIA DI AFC U16 - SIKH IZHAN NAZREL SIKH AZMAN FAM. 2022-01-05. fam.org.my.
  4. Web site: Graduan AMD perkuat Selangor II. 26 February 2020. Berita Harian.
  5. Web site: Keeper Sikh Izhan catches the eye in Super League debut at 19. 17 August 2021. The Star.
  6. Web site: Young keeper Sikh Izhan bound for trials in Spain. 2022-01-05. The Star. en.
  7. Web site: Hashim. Firdaus. 2021-11-26. Kelab Sepanyol puas hati prestasi Sikh Izhan. 2022-01-05. Harian Metro. en.
  8. News: Sikh Izhan Tinggalkan Selangor, Sertai Negeri Sembilan . makanbola.com . Makan Bola. 17 January 2023. 18 January 2023 . Azim . Noor.
  9. Web site: Meet Sikh Izhan, Malaysia U-19 goalkeeper who travelled 600km to weekly training by himself at age 10. 30 May 2020. Goal.com.
  10. Web site: Senarai 23 Pemain Skuad Malaysia Ke Kejuaraan B-16 AFC 2018. 14 September 2018. Football Association of Malaysia.
  11. https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/highlight/2023/06/21/rampant-harimau-malaya-thrash-papua-new-guinea-10-0/ Rampant Harimau Malaya thrash Papua New Guinea 10-0
  12. Web site: Sikh Izhan Nazrel. Soccerway.com. 30 November 2022.
  13. Web site: Sikh Izhan Nazrel. www.malaysianfootballleague.com. 20 June 2023.