PETALING JAYA: The absence of winger Faisal Halim is surely felt by Selangor but coach Nidzam Jamil is not panicking.
The gaffer has said that he has been checking out options during training sessions and believes two players have what it takes to play in the talisman’s position, which is the left wing.
Based on his assessments, Nidzam believes Malaysia Under-23 captain Mukhairi Ajmal Mahadi or Jordan Under-23 captain Reziq Bani Hani could play in that position.
The first test is not going to be an easy one as they will be facing Kedah, who are coached by the charismatic Nafuzi Zain, at the Petaling Jaya Stadium tomorrow.
“Based on what I have seen, I believe Reziq or Ajmal could take up the challenge,” said Nidzam.
“There are some fine tunings to be made because we are facing a top team like Kedah. On that flank, whoever plays, will be facing Jai (Rizal Ghazali), who is a top rightback.
“Not forgetting the centrebacks who are physically imposing. We will see which player would suit the game.”
Faisal is expected to be out for months as he is recovering at a hospital in Shah Alam.
Faisal suffered fourth-degree burns on several parts of his body on May 5 after being splashed with acid by an unknown individual at a shopping mall in Petaling Jaya, which affected his movement and speech.
The national winger is out of the Intensive Care Unit but is under close monitoring, as he is under a sensitive treatment phase due to the skin grafting procedure that was conducted last week.
Due to the incident, the club decided to not play the Charity Shield game against Johor Darul Ta’zim but now Nidzam said the team is motivated to play against the Canaries.
“We are sad with what happened and learnt a lot too. All of us are praying for his well-being and also his loved ones.
“Now, we just want to play football. The team’s concentration and motivation is good.
“The game against Kedah, it’s not Nafuzi versus me. It’s the players that should be the focus. Coaches just guide but the style of play and characteristics on the field, it’s the players.”
