Keeper Nasrullah believes Perak can surprise all in Super League

No time to rest: Nasrullah Aziz stretching while Khairul Amri Salehuddin looks on during Perak’s training session. — Perak TBG.

PETALING JAYA: Perak goalkeeper Nasrullah Aziz has set new goals to prove others wrong in the Super League.

Young and bold, the 22-year-old wants his team to “pulun” (fight) all the way in the last seven matches to finish first in the league when the season resumes next month and also qualify for the Malaysia Cup final.

The 1.83m tall player from Ipoh believes his team have what it takes to upstage top teams, including table-toppers Johor Daruk Ta’zim.

JDT are two points ahead of Perak in the standings with ten points.

While many are expecting JDT led by coach Benjamin Mora to win their seventh consecutive title, Nasrullah said the race in the league was still open.

“We’ll fight for the number one spot in the league, the team spirit is high, ” said Nasrullah.

“We had a good start as we collected eight points from four matches. We are also unbeaten. The team wish to bring that momentum when the league resumes.

“Perak have been in the Super League since 2004, and we have not been relegated but, we have not won a title too.

“This is the best season for us to win it. It’s time we create history for the team.”

Nasrullah was thrown in the deep end following injuries to first-choice Hafizul Hakim and No. 2 Khairul Amri Salehuddin but he has impressed in his four matches for Perak so far.

However, with Hafizul and Khairul returning to training, Nasrullah will have to fight for his spot again.

“There is a healthy competition in the team. Their return will only make me stronger, and as a keeper, I want to maintain my first eleven spot, ” said Nasrullah, who is grateful to his goalkeeping coach Faozi Mukhlas.

“Faozi is a former national goalkeeper coach, so when he speaks, you listen. With his, it’s all about hard work. Thanks to him, I’m also inspired to don the national jersey one day.”

Nasrullah said the training had been good although under strict regulations set by the Malaysian Football League (MFL) to combat Covid-19.

“Training has been smooth sailing without any incidences. The boys are pumped up even under this environment. We want to play the game without any issues, ” he said.