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AFF Suzuki Cup: Captain Safiq confident of glory

Malaysia players warm up near their hotel in Jakarta yesterday. Malaysia face Indonesia in the final second leg tomorrow. — Picture by Khairul Ghazali
Malaysia players warm up near their hotel in Jakarta yesterday. Malaysia face Indonesia in the final second leg tomorrow. — Picture by Khairul Ghazali
SAFIQ Rahim could not have stated his intention clearer in bringing the AFF Suzuki Cup home for the first time ever,
"We have come here (Jakarta) to win, I am confident we will return home as champions," the Malaysia captain said on arrival at Jakarta's Soekarno-Hatta International Airport yesterday.

Armed with a three-goal lead from the first leg in Bukit Jalil on Sunday, the national team are on the cusp of winning their maiden Asean Championship since the tournament's inception in 1996.

Their progress to the final earned the national team plenty of admirers with passengers on the Malaysian Airlines flight to Jakarta yesterday giving the players a deserved round of applause.
The players exuded confidence and calm in equal measure as they prepare to face Indonesia for the third time in the tournament tomorrow.

Safiq backed up his bold prediction by saying Indonesia, who trounced Malaysia 5-1 in the opening match in Jakarta on Dec 1, will need a miracle to overturn the 3-0 deficit.

"We have to maintain what we have been doing all this while, stay composed and focus on the next game," said the Selangor midfielder.

"I think the three goals we scored (in the first leg) were well earned and we deserve this lead.

"I can confidently say it is a comfortable lead and it will take a miracle for them to deny us."

Malaysia's win, however, came at a price with winger Amirulhadi Zainal and right-back Mahalli Jasuli picking up yellow cards, their second of the tournament, which rules them out of the second leg.

"I feel for Amirul and Mahalli but this is the situation we are faced with," added Safiq.

"It should not have any effect on us because every player in the squad is ready to step in at anytime.

"We have capable replacements, so it is not a problem at all."


Read more: NST/

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