Rajagopal aims to put Malaysia back on track starting with Bahrain

Datuk K. Rajagopal (right) and Bahrain coach Anthony Hudson at a press conference ahead of the Asian Cup Group D qualifying round match at the Shah Alam Stadium.

PETALING JAYA: National coach Datuk K. Rajagopal can’t wait to hit back at the critics. On Tuesday, he has a chance with Malaysia playing fancied Bahrain in the Asian Cup Group D qualifying round match at the Shah Alam Stadium.

After a string of poor results, Rajagopal is under pressure.

Malaysia need the three points to put themselves back in the reckoning for a place in the 16-team Finals in Australia next year.

“Everyone knows Bahrain are a tough side to beat but we won’t be pushovers. We must win to keep our hopes alive in the qualifiers.

“We are playing at home and we want to do our very best to come away with the three points,” said Rajagopal after the team managers’ meeting at the Wisma FAM in Kelana Jaya on Monday.

“Game-day is always exciting, with the emotion, the stress and expectation of the occasion.

“Whether you are playing at home or away, you want the team to perform well. All the teams go through the same process (winning and losing) and I think you have to take that in your stride.

“Take a look at the table in our group. Three teams – Bahrain, Qatar and Malaysia – have chances to qualify. I would say this is our best chance to qualify,” he added.

Qatar are the leaders with six points from three matches. Bahrain are second, also on six points but having played only twice.

Malaysia are third on three points from a win and a loss.

Yemen are winless after three matches.

The top two teams from the five groups will qualify for the Finals together with one third-best placed team.

However, Bahrain are unbeaten in the tournament thus far and will be aiming to continue that run against the Malaysians on Tuesday.

Things, however, are not so rosy for Malaysia too.

They will not have a number of players for tonight’s match.

Fadhli Shas, Nik Shahrul Azim Halim, Razman Roslan and Helmi Remeli, Wan Zack Haikal Wan Nor and striker Safee Sali are all unavailble due to injuries.

Rajagopal, however, is not worried about it.

“We still have the core of the team to face Bahrain with skipper Safiq Rahim in midfield, Aidil Zafuan in defence and Norshahrul Idlan Talaha in attack,” said Rajagopal, who saw his team beaten 3-1 by the United Arab Emirates in a friendly in Shenzhen, China.

Like Malaysia, Bahrain will also be without a number of key players, including star midfielder Faozi Aaish and captain and centreback Mohamed Husain Bahzad.

Aaish pulled out of the team due to personal reasons while Bahzad was injured during Bahrain’s 1-0 loss to Thailand in a friendly in Bangkok last Thursday.

Veteran midfielder Salman Isa has been named captain for tonight’s match.

Coached by 32-year-old Englishman Anthony Hudson, he said during the press conference that Bahrain are confident of recording their third straight win in the group.

“We’re here to win the game. And we’re not thinking about anything else,” said Hudson, the son of former Chelsea and England star Alan Hudson.

“It’s going to be a tough game. We have a lot of respect for Malaysia as we know the team very well.

“We’ve watched all their previous games and we know their strengths and weaknesses.

“We also have a very strong team and are really looking forward to the match,” he added.