PETALING JAYA: Tough-tackling midfielder K. Gurusamy’s absence will be a huge blow to Selangor ahead of their AFC Cup match against Group F leaders Hanoi T&T of Vietnam.
Gurusamy is disappointed that he will have to miss the match at the Shah Alam Stadium on Tuesday after aggravating an injury on his right knee during the Super League home game against PKNS FC on Saturday.
“I will know the full extend of the injury once I do an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) on my right knee tomorrow. It is the same knee which was operated on last year,” said Gurusamy.
“But I have faith in my team to do well and make a strong claim to qualify to the round of 16.”
Selangor are hoping for a change of fortune in the AFC Cup competition after two draws and a loss in three matches.
The Red Giants are languishing in third spot with only two points. They badly need to get their act right and collect full points against Hanoi T&T.
Team manager Datuk S. Sivasundaram admitted that Tuesday’s game was crucial for his boys.
“The players understand the situation ... we can’t afford anymore slip-ups. If we are to make a comeback, we need to get points onboard in our remaining fixtures,” said Sivasundaram.
Selangor opened their campaign with identical 1-1 draws against Maziya SC of Maldives and Arema FC of Indonesia before losing to Hanoi T&T 1-0 in Hanoi.
Sivasundaram said Selangor should be boosted by the return of Brazilian striker Paulo Rangel, who missed Saturday’s Super League match against PKNS FC due to a one-match suspension.
“Rangel’s presence should add more bite to our attack. We lost to the Vietnamese side by a solitary goal. I’m sure we can fight back on Tuesday and revive our chances to move into the next round,” said Sivasundaram.
Hanoi T&T are going great guns in the competition, having collected the maximum nine points. Arema FC are second with four points while Maziya SC prop up the table with just a point.
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