National striker Shahrel Fikri Md Fauzi dismissed speculations that he would be moving to Selangor next season.

The 23-year-old player who is now playing for Nakhon Ratchasima on loan said his comments on social media was only a joke with a former teammate of Harimau Muda B.

“I was only joking with my old teammate in Harimau Muda B, it’s not true, of course,” he told Bernama on his return at Kuala Lumpur International Airport here after playing two friendly matches for Harimau Malaya against Taiwan and Cambodia.

Shahrel was the hero to assist the squad under coach Tan Cheng Hoe to win 3-1 against Cambodia last night when he helped to create two goal chances for Shahrul Saad and Syazwan Andik Ishak to score in injury time.

The PKNP FC player is now on loan to Nakhon Ratchasima from June to December.

Commenting on the win over Cambodia, Shahrel said it was a much-awaited win after Harimau Malaya’s last away win against New Caledonia on June 22 2016.

“I am thankful to Cheng Hoe for giving me the opportunity in the competition. As for AFF Cup, it is up to him field me again or not, I will just follow,” he said 

He is also confident of not having any problem with joining Harimau Malaya for centralised training in October as the Thai League 1 will end before that.

In the friendly on Friday, Harimau Malaya lost 0-2 to Taiwan before winning 3-1 against Cambodia yesterday.

For the AFF Cup scheduled in November, Malaysia was drawn in Group A with Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar while Group B comprised Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Singapore and Timor Leste.

There will be three AFF Cup warm-up matches for the squad namely against Sri Lanka in Colombo on Nov 8, Kyrgyzstan at Hang Jebat Stadium, Melaka (Oct 12) and Maldives at the National Stadium, Bukit Jalil (Nov 3).

- Bernama