Joyful moment: Faisal Halim (No. 7) celebrates with Akhyar Rashid after scoring against Hong Kong at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium on Tuesday. — Bernama
PETALING JAYA: Scoring a goal against Hong Kong was a case of do or ‘’dye’’ for winger Faisal Halim as his hair was at stake!
Coach Kim Pan-gon had challenged the diminutive Selangor player nicknamed Mickey to end his goal drought in Malaysia’s friendly against the team nicknamed the “Strengths’’, failing which he would have to dye his hair to another colour.
The 25-year-old is obviously not fond of colourful hairdos, and responded with a goal in the 41st minute at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium in Iskandar Puteri, Johor, on Tuesday.
Faisal also provided the assist for the Harimau Malaya’s first strike via Akhyar Rashid in the 18th minute.
He was thrilled to play an instrumental role in Malaysia’s 2-0 win and was overcome with emotion after breaking his duck for 2023.
“Coach Kim joked by saying that if I did not score, I would have to change my hair colour. Finally, I got the goal I was badly looking for. He (Pan-gon) was also happy with the fighting spirit that I showed,’’ said a teary-eyed Faisal.
“I’m thankful to my family, especially my wife, who continuously prayed for my well-being as she knew how badly I wanted a goal. I also want to thank the fans who wished me well. I am humbled.
“Then, there are my teammates too. They gave me much support, especially Akhyar, who told me that I would score.
‘’I hope this is the beginning of more goals to come. I want to show that my good form last season was no fluke.”
Faisal now hopes he will go on to score his first goal for Selangor in the Super League. He has provided three assists in five games with the Red Giants so far but has yet to hit the target.
‘’Scoring for Malaysia has raised my spirits to end my goal drought with Selangor,’’ added the former Pahang and Terengganu player.
