KUALA LUMPUR: Two Player of the Match awards in four games is quite an achievement for a 21-year-old, but G. Pavithran is showing he belongs on the big stage.
In his first-ever senior tournament at the Hyundai AFF Cup, the Johor Darul Ta’zim II winger has emerged as one of Malaysia’s brightest attacking prospects with a series of impressive displays.
Pavithran produced another sterling performance against the Philippines at Cheras Football Stadium on Saturday, scoring the decisive goal in a must-win clash to send Malaysia into the semi-finals.
The winger rose highest to head in Wan Kuzain Wan Ahmad Kamal’s cross as Malaysia secured a 2-0 victory, finished second in Group B with nine points and booked a last-four meeting with defending champions Vietnam.
His other Player of the Match award came in the 4-0 win over Laos, when he provided two assists.
Speaking after the match, Pavithran was quick to credit those around him for his rapid rise.
“First of all, I want to thank Coach Tan (Cheng Hoe), my teammates, and the supporters. Without them, I am nobody,” he said.
“The senior players also encouraged me and never got angry when I made mistakes.
“They supported me, and that helped me earn the award.”
Pavithran said the team would go all out in their preparation for the match against Vietnam.
“After this match, we have to focus on the game against Vietnam.
“We need to do our recovery properly, train hard, and focus on that match,” he said.
He hopes the supporters would turn up in droves too.
“Our motivation stays the same – we play, we win. That’s our only goal,” he added.
