Bang on target: Syafiq Ahmad celebrating after scoring against Police at the Selayang Stadium in their opening Super League match last week. — Kedah FC
Kedah won’t be intimidated as Selangor fans turn up in droves to give full support
PETALING JAYA: The prospect of facing a football club in solidarity in front of a sellout crowd can be intimidating for any opposition.
Kedah, though, are taking it in their stride in their quest for a win over Selangor in their Super League encounter at the Petaling Jaya Stadium today.
The game is billed as a must-watch as the Red Giants are returning to action after withdrawing from the Charity Shield against Johor Darul Ta’zim last weekend.
The Klang Valley side decided to concede a ‘walkover’ due to security reasons, where their winger Faisal Halim became a victim of a vicious acid attack at a Kota Damansara mall on May 5.
Kedah coach Nafuzi Zain is aware that his team will be facing a side motivated by the support shown by the people for Faisal, affectionately known as Mickey.
“Faisal will be the motivating factor for Selangor. I have coached him in Terengganu before and I know how he is as a player and individual.
“He is a talisman for any side and after what happened to him, I am sure Selangor are eager to take their first three points of the season,” he said.
“Selangor will surely have a replacement for him because they are a side filled with quality players.
“I am aware that the game is a sellout, so the atmosphere will be great. Selangor will want to win but so do we.
“This is a big game for everyone and I hope both sides will produce a quality display for the fans. We will play a good game and get another win.”
The Canaries got off to a good start in the league after beating Police 1-0 at the Selayang Stadium last weekend.
Striker Syafiq Ahmad was the goalscorer and is expected to play a key role in the game against Selangor.
Ghanaian striker Ebenezer Assifuah is part of the travelling party but Nafuzi hinted that Syafiq could play alongside Serbian Milos Gordic.
“We have a full squad without suspensions or injuries. I am also hopeful that the weather will be good.
“The last game against Police, we could only play good football for 25 minutes and after that, the quality dipped thanks to a rain-soaked pitch.”
