Selangor FC will take on defending champions Buriram United FC in the Asean Club Championship Shopee Cup final, with the first leg taking place at MBPJ Stadium on Wednesday (May 20) night.
Faisal Halim, the Selangor FC captain, shares his thoughts in a special interview.
Q: Let’s start by talking about Selangor qualifying for the Shopee CupTM Final. What has this meant to the club and to you personally?
Faisal Halim: To me, this is a gift for the entire Selangor team, all Selangor supporters, and the people of Selangor. This is the first time Selangor have successfully reached the Shopee CupTM TM final. It is not an easy achievement – it is something truly extraordinary. It is the result of the hard work of the players, the coaching staff and the club. I believe this is the greatest reward for the team.
Q: Selangor are the only unbeaten team in the competition, with four wins and three draws which include those two big wins over Nam Ðinh FC in the semi-finals. As you look back, what are the main factors for the team’s progress in the Shopee Cup
Faisal Halim: Honestly, I did not expect this achievement when we look back at how we reached the final unbeaten. That is something very positive and very good for the team. I feel very fortunate to be part of Selangor because we have quality players, experienced coaches and a team management that always gives us the best support and responsibility.
They are always improving the team and raising the quality. What I can say is that every team we faced in the Shopee Cup had quality – strong teams with good foreign and local players. It was never easy for us to compete in the Shopee Cup, but achieving success gives great satisfaction to every player when we fight in every match and help bring the team to the final.
Q: As the last major trophy Selangor was the Malaysia CupTM in 2015, what is the mood in the team since Wednesday night knowing you guys have a chance to bring glory back to Selangor after so many years?
Faisal Halim: I can say it has been a long time since Selangor last won a trophy. As players, all of us want to win for the team. Most importantly, the Shopee CupTM is an international competition, a higher level than domestic football. It is not easy to reach the final, and even reaching this stage is already a great achievement for the team. But we know in the final we will face a giant team, a very strong opponent and also the defending champions. Still, we will go there and give the best performance Selangor can offer, and we will try our best to win the trophy. We have two matches, one at home and one away.
For me, this is the final challenge of the season. There is nothing left to hold back. We must give our best for the club and for ourselves. I believe it is not impossible for Selangor to succeed.
Q: Selangor drew with Buriram United FC in the opening Group A match in August where they equalised in injury time. How did you and the players react at the end of that match, and is that result an indication Selangor have every chance to beat Buriram United over two legs?
Faisal Halim: Back then, during the first group stage match, none of us expected that we could hold Buriram United to a draw. In every aspect, Buriram United are a complete and high quality team. When we went there to play against such a strong side, our team still managed to give our best performance and commitment.
When we scored, I thought, “Wow, this feels like a dream.” Our striker and top scorer, Chrigor Moraes, scored the goal and it became an incredible match. We were able to score against such a strong team. In the final minutes, I thought we could win, but after conceding late, we still felt satisfied because even though it was a draw, it felt like a victory against a stronger team. Now we will face them again in the final.
At the start of the season, every team was still searching for rhythm and consistency, but after several months, nearly a full season, every team have improved their game and quality – including Buriram United. Maybe now they are even stronger, with better quality and a better overall team.
The same goes for us. We have also improved many things and developed as a team. In the final, we have nothing to lose. We just need to enjoy the atmosphere, give our best, and hopefully we can win the trophy.
Q: Do you feel it is an advantage for Selangor to host the first leg and what must the team do on the night to get the right result before travelling to Buriram?
Faisal Halim: Of course, just like when we faced Nam Ðinh, we will play the first leg at home. If we can gain an advantage in the first match, I believe when we go to Buriram for the second leg, we will feel less pressure and have even greater motivation to give our best for the team. I think this set-up is actually very good for us. Playing at home first gives us an advantage, and we need to dominate the first match. Then we will see the result and prepare for the second leg.
Q: What will it mean to lift the trophy?
Faisal Halim: If Selangor manage to win the Shopee Cup this time, it will create a new chapter in history for both myself and the club. It would truly be a proud moment for Selangor.
Q: Selangor have lost only one game in 21 matches, winning 15 and drawing five times since coach Kim Pan-gon joined the team in January. What and how has his influence and presence impacted the team?
Faisal Halim: I have been with coach Kim in the national team for almost three to four years, and the other players also understand his character and what he wants from us. Coach Kim always emphasises never giving up because a football match lasts 90 minutes.
Maybe we concede in the first minute or the 10th minute, but we still have another 80 minutes to turn things around and get back into the game. Coach Kim always stresses that the most important thing is unity. If we work together as one team, we will achieve results.
Q: Are there examples that you can share of how he has helped you unite the team?
Faisal Halim: As a coach, he is very strict and serious on the pitch. But outside the field, during team dinners or gatherings, he treats every player equally. There is no such thing as “you are a substitute player” or “you are a first-team player.” He respects everyone equally. What he wants is for players to show commitment, and he will respect those players in return.
Q: You and Chrigor have contributed to the attacking flair that coach Kim is advocating about the team’s DNA, with a combined nine goals in the Shopee CupTM. Can you describe your partnership with Chrigor as it sometimes feels like you and him have a telepathic connection.
Faisal Halim: Chrigor is a striker with extraordinary quality, one of the best foreign players Selangor have ever had. He is young, fast, and has excellent finishing ability – he can score from almost anywhere. Whenever I play with Chrigor, whenever I pass the ball to him, I already feel like the chance will become a goal. Whether it is a dribble or a cross, we know it can end with a goal because Chrigor is a player who plays simple football. He does not complicate things for himself or for the team. He plays simple and effective football.
Q: How is your relationship with him outside the field?
Faisal Halim: Very good. He is also a very good person. Chrigor does not talk much. He is quiet, easy to manage, and very professional. Whatever we discuss with him, there are never any complications. He is disciplined, respectful, and a very good player.
Q: How has the Shopee Cup impacted the growth of ASEAN club football?
Faisal Halim: I think the Shopee Cup is very good because it introduces high-quality competition. We play against strong teams with quality foreign players. Through these matches, our own players can continue improving because high-intensity games are very difficult. I believe playing in the Shopee Cup and in international competitions will help our players become even better in the future.
Q: After playing for your home state Penang, Pahang and Terengganu, why did you join Selangor at the end of 2022? What does it mean to be in the Shopee CupTM final and with a chance to become Asean Club Champions?
Faisal Halim: Of course, as a player, day by day and year by year, we always want greater challenges than before. Even though I was comfortable at my previous club, when I came to Selangor, I wanted a new challenge and new competition to improve myself. I knew the expectations at Selangor are very high because they are a big club. With a big club comes big pressure. We are always expected to give our best performance every time we play and deliver positive results for the team. There is a lot of pressure here, but that pressure is what helps a player improve and succeed.
Q: Can you tell us what attracted you to playing football as a kid in Penang, how old were you and who were your football heroes who inspired you?
Faisal Halim: Not many people know this story. I started loving football at the age of four. My father introduced football to me and trained me from my childhood until my school years. From then on, I became passionate about football. I constantly watched football matches and admired the best players in the world such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
Since then, I have supported Portugal and idolised Ronaldo because I wanted to follow his example and learn from his performances. From there, I became focused and disciplined, and I told myself that this was my path. I would do everything possible to become a professional
football player.
Q: Were there any siblings playing football, too?
Faisal Halim: Yes, all my brothers played football too, but not as seriously as I did. Everyone could play sports, but I was the one who took it seriously. I am the fourth child in my family.
Q: There is a story that you were amongst the winners of a junior football reality show and was flown to Old Trafford. Can you tell us more about that, and what it meant to you?
Faisal Halim: It was a television program called “Mencari (Finding) Ramli.” They travelled across every state in Malaysia to hold football selections. The chosen players would gather in a training camp in Kuala Lumpur, where we were evaluated, trained and challenged to earn the opportunity to go to Old Trafford. I was one of the players selected to visit Manchester United, watch their matches and train at the Manchester United academy. At that time, I was 16 years old and studying in Form Four.
Q: What did that experience do for your career?
Faisal Halim: When we went there, we saw high-quality training and players who had already achieved success. We met Manchester United players and watched Manchester United matches. At that moment, I realized this was the career I truly wanted. My passion to become a football player grew even stronger, and from there I became even more determined to pursue my dream.
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