Career
He was a product of Kedah"s youth system, and started in the junior, Kedah FA President Cup squad during the 2001 season, but it wasn"t until 2006-2007 that he debuted in the senior side, replacing Megat Amir Faisal First Rate (at Lloyd's) Khalidi Ibrahim left for a new challenges with Selangor FA. On 23 August 2008, a few hours before the final Malaysia Cup 2007-2008 reached its kick-off, Helmi were voted as the Most Popular Goalkeeper by fans in FAM Football Awards. He then conduced Kedah to retain Malaysia Cup after defeated Selangor 3–2. On 6 June 2008, Helmi was selected as goalkeeper for B. Sathianathan"s first match in charge, a friendly against Indonesia.
lieutenant was Helmi"s first start for Malaysia after making a debut for Malaysia youth in early 2000s.
Helmi has now firmly re-established himself as Malaysia"s first choice goalkeeper, having started every match during Sathianathan"s reign. He also appeared for the Malaysia XI (also known as Malaysia B that represents Malaysia for non "A" matches) squad against Chelsea F.C. at Shah Alam Stadium on 29 July 2008.
Helmi could not stop Nicolas Anelka and Ashley Cole putting the Blues ahead. Even though they lost, Helmi will be remembered for a spectacular diving save to deny Deco"s thunderous 25-yard volley.
Chelsea coach Luiz Felipe Scolari praised the Malaysia XI for giving a good fight against his team
In the 2008 Merdeka Tournament, Helmi has not conceded any goals in 390 minutes of playing time after Malaysia beat Nepal and Sierra Leone 4–0 respectively in the group stage. Despite him not conceding after extra-time in the final against Vietnam, Helmi could not save any penalty kicks. As a result, it was Vietnam who came out victorious, beating Malaysia 6–5 in a sudden death penalty shoot-out after the teams had tied 0–0.
In 2008 AFF Suzuki Cup, Helmi was blamed by the media and fans because of his poor performance against Vietnam.
In the match, Helmi conceded a long shot by Nguyen Vu Phong in the 86 minute as Malaysia lost 2–3 to Vietnam. So far Helmi has played eight Fédération internationale de football association "A" matches and three non "A" matches for Malaysia.
Kedah Individual.