Safawi hopes to score and bring pride to the nation

PETALING JAYA: China can be deemed a happy hunting ground for Safawi Rasid (pic).

The Johor Darul Ta’zim winger scored two goals in the AFC Under-23 Championships for Harimau Muda in Changshu, China in 2018, and many believe he could continue his luck when the national team play in  two international friendlies in Chengdu this week.

The team left for Chengdu yesterday to face Syria tomorrow and China (Sept 9).

The 26-year-old said he can’t wait to meet both the nations’ teams and when asked if he is looking for goals just like in 2018, he chuckled.

“If it happens, it would be nice. Hopefully, I will get the chance to play and show my capabilities to the national team,” he said.

“With the team we have, we have a good chance.

“For me, we just need to give a good account of ourselves and it doesn’t matter who scores.“What matters is we bring pride to the nation.

“Facing Syria and China will be a good test for us. Preparation has been good, we worked hard and will make sure to use this opportunity well.

“They are higher ranked than us, so we respect them. And they have some players based overseas too.

“We will be cautious but we will do a good job based on what the coach wants.”

And under coach Kim Pan-gon, Safawi has been deployed as a No. 10, which he likes as it allows him to have more shooting opportunities from the middle.

“For the No. 10 position, I’ve no problem. I just follow what the coach says. Wherever he wants me to play, I will do it,” he said.

“I just want to help the team fare well and hopefully cause a shock or two and improve our rankings.”