PETALING JAYA: Just be who you are.
That was Selangor captain Faisal Halim’s advice to his shy and quiet teammate A. Selvan before the youngster played his part in the Red Giants’ impressive 4-1 win over Kelantan in their Super League opener on Saturday.
Faisal, who scored twice in the victory at the Sultan Mohd IV Stadium in Kota Baru, revealed that he had spoken to Selvan before the match to calm his nerves.
“Before coming to the stadium, I told Selvan not to be scared or shy,” said Faisal.
“Maybe that is just his character because he is very quiet as well.
“I told him that I would be there for him if someone scolds him.
“He just needs to do what he is known for – playing good-quality football.
“I encouraged him to use his quality and take the chances given to him.”
Faisal struck in the 27th and 49th minutes, with Brazilian striker Chrigor Moraes opening the scoring in the 18th minute before completing his brace in the 75th.
Selvan was not on the scoresheet but assisted Moraes’ first goal and was a constant thorn for Kelantan’s defence with his pace and dribbling on the right.
Kelantan’s consolation came through Nigerian midfielder Philip Dandada Musa in the 60th minute.
Faisal celebrated his first goal by tucking the ball under his jersey, revealing that his wife Nur Syazwani Mizuana Shahril is pregnant.
“The first match is never easy. We struggled but took our chances well. I want to congratulate my teammates and the fans who came all the way to Kota Baru to support us.
Coach Kim Pan-gon also praised the team’s effort after an eight-week pre-season but warned that the Red Giants were still a work in progress.
“We must be very, very humble in our approach,” said the South Korean.
Pan-gon added that Selangor’s new foreign signings still needed time to adapt, while confirming that the club had completed its recruitment.
Selangor’s next match will be against Terengganu at the Sultan Mizan Stadium in Gong Badak on Friday.
