Wednesday, 13 July 2011

Fakri wants to rediscover good form

Ahmad Fakri Saarani has had a season to forget so far after successive knee and hamstring injuries consigned him to the sidelines for a long period.
 
The injuries meant Fakri missed a large chunk of the Super League with Negri Sembilan, scoring just two goals as last season's FA Cup winners suffered a stuttering start to the season.

Fakri also missed the national Olympic team's Asian qualifying second round win over Lebanon and has made just one start for the senior team in a 2-0 friendly win over Hong Kong although he did score against French club Etoile in a 1-1 draw in Singapore.

Those appearances, however, came fitfully in between his injuries but Fakri is determined to regain a starting spot when the national team face Singapore in the World Cup Asian qualifying second round at the end of the month.
"I've fully recovered from my injuries and the only thing left to do is to get back to 100 per cent match fitness. It's not been an easy season for me but I hope that is all behind me now," said Fakri, 21, who is hoping to start for Malaysia against Arsenal in a friendly match at the National Stadium today.

A fit Fakri will provide national coach K. Rajagobal with an additional option in attack as Safee Sali struggles to shake off a leg injury he suffered in the World Cup first round qualifier against Taiwan.

Fakri, who has yet to score at international level in 13 appearances for the senior team, was Malaysia's top scorer with four goals at the 2009 Sea Games in Vientiane where the Under-23 squad won gold. It is that form which the striker hopes to regain.

"I've only played a small part in the two games against Taiwan when I came on as a substitute. I hope to play more often but I've got be match fit before the coach will pick me.

"At full fitness, I think I stand a good chance of forcing my way back into the team," said Fakri. "The match against Arsenal will be the perfect opportunity to show what I can do.

"I'm excited to play Arsenal but I'll treat them just like I do when I play against any other team," added the self-confessed Manchester United fan.

For now, Fakri will settle for scoring against the Gunners if he can manage enough time on the pitch.
 

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