Mouth-watering clash: Faizal Saari (right) expects another thrilling contest from South Korea in the Asia Cup match today.
PETALING JAYA: Brace for a backlash.
This was midfielder Faizal Saari’s reminder to his teammates as they get ready to face South Korea in the super four clash at the Gelora Bung Karno Sports Complex in Jakarta today.
The Speedy Tigers are in the super four after topping Group B with nine points in the Asia Cup to assure a ticket for next year’s World Cup in India.
Also through to the last four are top Asian teams Japan, India and South Korea.
In their earlier group campaign, the Malaysians, led by coach A. Arulselvaraj, beat Oman (7-0), South Korea (5-4) and Bangladesh (8-1).
Although the players are happy after confirming a ticket for the World Cup, Faizal wants them to focus on South Korea as they intend to go all the way to win the title.
In the last game against Shin Seok-kyu’s side, the Malaysians had to stave off a resurgent fightback from the Koreans, and the 31-year-old Faizal expects another thrilling contest.
“It’s great to seal the ticket for the World Cup. One target has been achieved and we have celebrated.
“Now, we have our second goal, and that’s to win,” said Faizal, who usually plays as a striker but is deployed as a midfielder under Arulselvaraj’s tactical system.
“We will have to take our chances well and be tactically disciplined when they initiate their attacks.
“Every game has its own challenge, so we have to be ready for every obstacle. We will make sure to jump walls and show what we are capable of.”
Faizal is the nation’s most fearsome goalscorer with 123 goals from 257 games and is expected to add to those goals in the tournament.
In the game against Bangladesh on Thursday, Faizal scored a hattrick and was adjudged the man of the match.
He has scored four goals so far but it’s not enough.
“If I see a chance, I’ll take it. I hope to score more to lead the nation to success here.”
