PETALING JAYA: Fasting did little to slow down Safawi Rasid as the winger struck twice to power Kuala Lumpur to a commanding 4-0 Super League victory over Brunei on the second day of Ramadan.
With only a few kurma (dates) before kickoff, Safawi once again let his magical left foot do the talking, finding the net in the ninth and 18th minutes to set Kuala Lumpur firmly on course for victory.
Captain Paulo Josue added the third in the 60th minute before Spanish midfielder Victor Ruiz completed the rout 10 minutes later.
The brace carried extra significance given the physical demands of playing while fasting, but Safawi revealed it was simply a matter of adaptation.
“I had some kurma before the game. Only after the match did I have a proper meal. Every season we go through this, so we just have to adapt,” he said.
Affectionately known as Pawi among his teammates, the 28-year-old winger is enjoying one of his most productive campaigns in recent seasons.
In the Super League, he has netted 10 goals in 17 appearances, making him the top local goalscorer and Kuala Lumpur’s most potent attacking threat.
He has also chipped in with one goal and one assist in four Malaysia Cup matches.
Not only the goals, but his directness in attack and ability to link up with others have been a delight to watch this season, which also bodes well for the national team as he is one of the key attackers in Peter Cklamovski’s set-up.
Currently on loan from table-toppers Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT), Safawi was quick to credit his teammates for his impressive form.
“I have to thank my teammates because the goals we score are team efforts. There are many combinations, dummies and movements before we find the net. I am truly proud of the team so far,” he said.
The emphatic win lifted Kuala Lumpur to third in the standings with 33 points from 17 matches, strengthening their push near the top of the table.
Looking ahead to their next clash against Terengganu, Safawi expects another stern test.
“I hope in our next match against Terengganu we can get three points. It won’t be easy because we have played them several times this season and none of those matches were easy.”
He also had a message for supporters during the fasting month.
“Yes, it is the fasting month, but please come to the stadium.”
Josue, meanwhile, was full of praise for his teammate and expressed admiration for Muslim players competing while fasting.
“Pawi is our best player at the moment. He is doing his job very well and I am thankful to have him here.
“I hope he continues scoring and helping us. He is a fantastic player.
“As for Ramadan, I don’t know how they fast the whole day and still play football. I don’t know how they compete without eating or with only something light before kickoff.
“I salute them.”
