Firdaus eager to play for country after serving out ban

IPOH, 7 Okt -- Pemain Perak, Wander Muhammad Firdaus Saiyadi meraikan gol jaringannya ketika menentang Sabah pada pertembungan Piala Malaysia di Stadium Perak, malam ini.Keputusan penuh memihak kepada Perak dengan jaringan 5-0--fotoBERNAMA (2018) HAK CIPTA TERPELIHARA

PETALING JAYA: Midfielder Mu­­ham­mad Firdaus Saiyadi (pic) is out to make up for lost time with his home state Perak in the 2019 M-League season.

In 2016, Perak’s Firdaus and Police’s Shafiq Jamal were slapped with two-year bans by the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) disciplinary committee after testing positive for a banned substance after a Super League match between the two teams.

The 22-year-old made his comeback after his ban in the Seladang’s Malaysia Cup campaign and played a key role in helping the team end a 12-year wait for a silverware last season.

Firdaus said he’s glad to have helped Perak win the Malaysia Cup which was his redemption following his suspension. In the Cup final Perak and Terengganu finished the game 3-3 in extra-time. In the ensuing shootout, Perak won 4-1.

“I scored in the final and helped the team win the Malaysia Cup. I can’t describe the emotions that I felt in the final,” said Firdaus yesterday.

“My expectation now is to be a regular in the starting XI. If I’m picked I will give my best. Coach Mehmet (Durakovic) makes your life easy on the pitch as he knows players’ mind as he himself was a former footballer.”

Recalling his suspension nightmare, Firdaus said that his parents and friends kept him motivated.

“For three months, I just stayed in the house ... my spirit was broken but their motivation made me not give up. I picked myself up and just focused on training alone. I also went to the gym to keep fit.”

“I was called up for the national Under-23 team training but then I was suspended. I missed the chance before but I’m still eligible to play for the team and I really hope to get back into the national set-up.” he said