PETALING JAYA: Malaysia will be hoping to break a 34-year curse when they take on Taiwan in the Asian Zone World Cup first round, first-leg match at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil tonight (8.45).
Malaysia began taking part in the qualifying rounds in 1974 and – after 10 attempts – have never progressed beyond the second round.
But then, these are heady days for Malaysian football, especially after winning the Suzuki Cup Asean Football Federation (AFF) championship last December.
Not only are they unbeaten so far this year, but a majority of the players who featured in the Suzuki Cup are still with the team.
Leading the charge will be the enigmatic Mohd Safee Sali, the leading scorer in the AFF Suzuki Cup with five goals.
Calm before the storm: National coach Datuk K. Rajagopal (second from left) shaking hands with his Taiwanese counterpart Lo Chih-Tsung while the two captains – Malaysia’s Safiq Rahim (left) and Taiwan’s Chen Yu-Lin – look on during a press conference at Wisma FAM in Kelana Jaya Tuesday. – Bernama Safee will be supported by skipper Mohd Safiq Rahim and the calming presence of Amar Rohidan in central midfield.
Speed demons S. Kunalan and Mohd Amirulhadi Zainal will provide the width and thrust from the flanks.
The backline will be bolstered by Mohd Muslim Ahmad, Mahali Jasuli, Mohd Fadhli Mohd Shas, Asrarudin Putra Omar and seasoned goalkeeper Sharbinee Allawee Ramli.
The notable absentees are striker Norsharul Idlan Talaha (hamstring injury) and goalkeeper Khairul Fahmi Che Mat (shoulder injury).
The duo are expected to be back for the return leg in Taiwan on Sunday.
National coach Datuk K. Rajagopal is confident of a victory over Taiwan.
“If we play good football it will result in a victory. We have to make sure we convert our chances to win the first leg at home,” said Rajagopal.
“I want to start the qualifying campaign on a winning note. We respect Taiwan and will do our best to beat them.”
Malaysia, ranked 143rd in the world, should not have much problem disposing of 160th-ranked Taiwan, who will be fielding an amateur side with an average age of 25 years.
Taiwan were ousted from the AFC Challenge Cup qualifying campaign last March after losses to India (0-3), Turkmenistan (0-2) and Pakistan (0-2).
Since then, Taiwan have prepared meticulously for a month to play Malaysia and they even had two weeks of intensive training in South Korea.
Taiwan head coach Lo Chih-Tsung, who has helmed the team since 2009, believes that offence will be their best form of defence against Malaysia.
“We played with a defensive mind set previously. However, we have changed our football philosophy and will play an offensive game against the home team,” said Chih-Tsung.
“People will expect us to play a defensive game in the first leg and play offensive in the second leg ... but for us it doesn’t matter whether its the first or second leg as we will play as we are playing in a final.”
n Tickets for the Asian Zone World Cup qualifying round match against Taiwan tonight will be on sale at the Yellow Gate of the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil from 3pm.
Tickets are priced at RM30, RM20 and RM5 (for children below 12).
Stories by ERIC SAMUEL and K. RAJAN - THE STAR
Malaysia began taking part in the qualifying rounds in 1974 and – after 10 attempts – have never progressed beyond the second round.
But then, these are heady days for Malaysian football, especially after winning the Suzuki Cup Asean Football Federation (AFF) championship last December.
Not only are they unbeaten so far this year, but a majority of the players who featured in the Suzuki Cup are still with the team.
Leading the charge will be the enigmatic Mohd Safee Sali, the leading scorer in the AFF Suzuki Cup with five goals.
Calm before the storm: National coach Datuk K. Rajagopal (second from left) shaking hands with his Taiwanese counterpart Lo Chih-Tsung while the two captains – Malaysia’s Safiq Rahim (left) and Taiwan’s Chen Yu-Lin – look on during a press conference at Wisma FAM in Kelana Jaya Tuesday. – BernamaSpeed demons S. Kunalan and Mohd Amirulhadi Zainal will provide the width and thrust from the flanks.
The backline will be bolstered by Mohd Muslim Ahmad, Mahali Jasuli, Mohd Fadhli Mohd Shas, Asrarudin Putra Omar and seasoned goalkeeper Sharbinee Allawee Ramli.
The notable absentees are striker Norsharul Idlan Talaha (hamstring injury) and goalkeeper Khairul Fahmi Che Mat (shoulder injury).
The duo are expected to be back for the return leg in Taiwan on Sunday.
National coach Datuk K. Rajagopal is confident of a victory over Taiwan.
“If we play good football it will result in a victory. We have to make sure we convert our chances to win the first leg at home,” said Rajagopal.
“I want to start the qualifying campaign on a winning note. We respect Taiwan and will do our best to beat them.”
Malaysia, ranked 143rd in the world, should not have much problem disposing of 160th-ranked Taiwan, who will be fielding an amateur side with an average age of 25 years.
Taiwan were ousted from the AFC Challenge Cup qualifying campaign last March after losses to India (0-3), Turkmenistan (0-2) and Pakistan (0-2).
Since then, Taiwan have prepared meticulously for a month to play Malaysia and they even had two weeks of intensive training in South Korea.
Taiwan head coach Lo Chih-Tsung, who has helmed the team since 2009, believes that offence will be their best form of defence against Malaysia.
“We played with a defensive mind set previously. However, we have changed our football philosophy and will play an offensive game against the home team,” said Chih-Tsung.
“People will expect us to play a defensive game in the first leg and play offensive in the second leg ... but for us it doesn’t matter whether its the first or second leg as we will play as we are playing in a final.”
n Tickets for the Asian Zone World Cup qualifying round match against Taiwan tonight will be on sale at the Yellow Gate of the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil from 3pm.
Tickets are priced at RM30, RM20 and RM5 (for children below 12).
Stories by ERIC SAMUEL and K. RAJAN - THE STAR
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