Safiq leaves door open for national team return

PETALING JAYA: Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) playmaker and former national team captain, Safiq Rahim does not rule out returning to action with the Harimau Malaysia.

But, for now, he wants to focus on preparing for the tough challenge in the 2017 season with the Southern Tigers, who are eyeing a fourth consecutive Super League title.

“I do not rule out the possibility of returning to the Malaysia squad but what is important now is to focus on my team first, “ he said after winning the Best Midfielder Award at 2016 National Football Awards on Saturday.

It is the fourth time the 29-year-old had won the title after winning the same award in 2011, 2012 and 2015.

The nation was shocked by the retirement of Safiq and three other JDT players – Aidil Zafuan Abdul Razak, S. Kunanlan and Mohd Amirulhadi Zainal – in July, purportedly to give more opportunity to young players.

For the new season, Safiq hopes to help the 2015 AFC Cup champions create history to become the first Malaysian team to play in the group stage of the Asia Champions League (ACL).

“It’s my goal to play in the ACL before I retire. JDT want us to go to a higher level. I hope this time we will get a positive result, as it is not impossible for us to compete in the ACL.”

He hopes the presence of new players such as 2016 Best Striker and Most Valuable Player Ahmad Hazwan Bakri and T-Team winger Muhammad Safawi Rasid would help make it a reality. — Bernama