Versatile centreback: Shahrul Saad (centre) can also be a useful addition in attack given his accurate long passes and his aerial ability during set-pieces.
PETALING JAYA: National football team centreback Shahrul Saad is ready to help out in attack if that is what coach Kim Pan-gon’s formation requires in their return fixture of the World Cup 2026-Asian Cup 2027 second-round qualifier against Oman at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil tomorrow.
The 30-year-old Shahrul, rated as one of the country’s best centrebacks, can also be a useful addition in attack given his accurate long passes and his aerial ability during set-pieces.
With goals being the No. 1 priority, he is ready to adapt to any tactical plan which Pan-gon adopts.
“When you are playing away, the priority is to defend and frustrate your opponents. But when you’re at home, we can’t defend for too long because we’re seeking a win. We will attack more, and press more. I hope we can play as a unit and get the full points against Oman,” said Shahrul.
“There will be changes to the formation, especially up front. So all of us should be ready to go along with them.”
Shahrul said he does not think that Oman are in a much stronger position than Malaysia despite winning the first fixture 2-0 in Muscat.
“In my opinion, I think they are not as strong as the teams we’ve faced in the Asian Cup. We have our strengths to counter them and we have a strong chance to defeat them on our home ground.
“Yes, they exploited our weaknesses well in the first match but that will be a big lesson for us. They also have areas where we can break down and gain the advantage. But it will boil down to how well we take our chances.”
