Chelsea captain John Terry may not recall the moment eight years ago when Hairuddin Omar rose high above the England defender to score the national team's goal in a 4-1 defeat to Chelsea in Kuala Lumpur.
But come tomorrow when a Malaysian Selection play Chelsea at the National Stadium, Hairuddin hopes to give Terry a reminder of their first encounter in 2003.
It will be the third time Terry and Hairuddin find themselves face to face after the senior Negri Sembilan striker did not find the back of the net when Chelsea beat Malaysia 2-0 in 2008.
It will be the third time Terry and Hairuddin find themselves face to face after the senior Negri Sembilan striker did not find the back of the net when Chelsea beat Malaysia 2-0 in 2008.
Hairuddin, 32, remembers vividly his goal for the national team in an Asia Premier League Trophy match as if it was yesterday.
"Rosdi Talib sent a corner kick straight into the six-yard box and I jumped above Terry to head it past the goalkeeper (Henrique Hilario). It was one of the most memorable occasions of my career to score against Chelsea.
"I'm honoured to have the opportunity to face Chelsea for a third time but I doubt if Terry will even remember my face, let alone my name.
"I'm honoured to have the opportunity to face Chelsea for a third time but I doubt if Terry will even remember my face, let alone my name.
"I'm a year younger than Terry, so I think this is the last time we'll ever meet," said Hairuddin, who has battled with a niggling knee injury all season.
That has restricted his appearances for Negri in the Super League, scoring only four goals, but Hairuddin has a keen eye for goal on the grandest of occasions.
In 2009, he steered Negri to a 3-1 win over Kelantan in the Malaysia Cup final as a loan signing with two assists before turning the tables on Negri in a repeat clash the following year when he opened the scoring for Kelantan in their 2-1 win.
"It's been a tough season. I've been struggling with a knee injury and I still feel a little discomfort.
"But I think I'm ready to play even if it's for just one half," added Hairuddin.
Malaysian Selection coach Ong Kim Swee will likely pair Hairuddin with Amri Yahyah upfront, considering the duo's record of having scored against English opposition.
Selangor captain Amri memorably scored twice against Manchester United in a 3-2 defeat in 2009 and with both players looking to strike again, Terry and company will have to be on their guard.
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