Injury-prone Kelantan striker S. Chanturu is hoping for a better outing with the national team now that he has fully recovered.
The Kulim-born lad made his mark in the international scene at the Guangzhou Asian Games, scoring the winner in the 2-1 opening match triumph against Kyrgyzstan last November.
A month later a hamstring injury forced him to be dropped by national coach Datuk K,.Rajagopal from the Suzuki Cup Asean Football Federation (AFF) championship winning team.
Chanturu’s bad luck continued as a knee injury forced him to miss four friendly matches against Hong Kong (twice), Etoille FC and Myanmar before making a return in the Asian Zone World Cup opening round qualifying match against Taiwan.
Lady luck seems to be smiling at the speedy winger as recovered in time from a knee injury to come on as a substitute in the 2-3 defeat by Taiwan in the second leg in Taipei on July 3. Malaysia qualified on away- goals rule when the two-leg showdown ended 4-4.
“I finally got a spot in the team after a long frustrating wait. I don’t know why but every time I get a national call-up I’ll end up with an injury,” said the winger.
“I do feel sad not being a part of the Suzuki Cup winning team but its something in the past and I’m looking forward to playing an active role with the team.
“I was a starter in the Asian Games last year and now I have to fight back to be in the starting line up. The players did very well to win the Suzuki Cup and I have a tough job breaking into the team.”
Chanturu’s form with the Super League champions Kelantan was impressive despite his injuries where he started 19 matches and ended up as The Red Warriors’ third top scorer with six goals.
Friendly matches against Arsenal and Liverpool before Malaysia play Singapore in the second round of the Asia Zone World Cup qualifier on July 23 will further give time for Chanturu to regain his scoring touch.
“I believe I have a 50-50 chance of starting against Singapore. I’m fully fit and getting back my goal scoring touches,” said the optimistic Chanturu.
“We have two friendly matches against Arsenal and Liverpool before we play Singapore. I believe I will be back to my old form before we meet Singapore.”
Malaysia will play English giants Arsenal on July 13 and Liverpool on July 16 at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil.
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