Safee will try to smoke his opponents on the pitch

SINGAPORE: Under-performing national striker Mohd Safee Sali has promised to do his talking on the pitch against Singapore.

The 2010 AFF Suzuki Cup top scorer was embroiled in controversy after a picture of him (in national tracksuit) and his team-mates having ‘teh-tarik’ and smoking went viral yesterday. 

Safee admitted to smoking but insisted that “I didn’t break team curfew”.

Post by Jose Raymond.

“I don’t want to elaborate on off-field matters ... my mind is focused on helping the team to beat Singapore,” said the stocky 30-year-old Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) striker.

National coach Dollah Salleh has also refused to comment on the smoking incident.

It is learned that some of the national players went out for a ‘teh-tarik’ session at a mamak restaurant near their hotel and returned before curfew time, at 10.30pm.

Malaysia must beat hosts Singapore in their final AFF Suzuki Cup Group B match at the National Stadium in Kallang tonight if they want to join Thailand in the semi-finals.

“Singapore are our traditional rivals. National pride is at stake here,” said Safee.

“We need to win this game to qualify for the semi-finals. We know their players well and they know us well too ... it will be an intriguing game.”