Malaysian striker Mohd Safee Sali has notched a brace in his last three appearances at the National Stadium, which is fast turning into his favourite hunting ground.
On Dec 15, he scored twice against Vietnam in the home-leg of the Suzuki Cup Asean Football Federation (AFF) semi-finals.
On Dec 26, he netted a brace in the first-leg of the tournament’s final against Indonesia.
His third double strike came on July 16 when he came on as a substitute against English Premier League side Liverpool.
The 27-year-old Pelita Jaya FA striker has certainly been a revelation for club and country.
He even scored a brace in Saturday’s 3-5 loss to Singapore in the first-leg of the Asian Zone World Cup second round qualifying round match at the Jalan Besar Stadium.
Safee has also been on a purple patch for the Indonesian club, scoring seven goals in 13 appearances this season.
No wonder expectations are sky high on Safee to deliver another “double” strike in the return-leg of the Asian Zone World Cup second round qualifying match at the National Stadium tomorrow (8.45pm)
Malaysia badly need to overturn Singapore’s two-goal cushion and clinch an historic spot in the third round of the qualifiers.
“It is not impossible to beat Singapore ... especially in our own backyard. Yes, we have fond memories of the National Stadium. For me, it has been rather special to have scored important goals which I will always cherish,” said Safee, the scorer of five goals and hero of Malaysia’s success in the Suzuki Cup last December.
Safee’s first double strike came when Malaysia defeated Vietnam 2-0 in the home-leg of the Suzuki Cup semi-finals.
He then repeated the feat in the home-leg of the final – leading Malaysia to a 3-0 win over Indonesia.
Safee also scored a goal in the away-leg in Jakarta en route to their 4-2 aggregate win.
“People talk about the goals and it feels great to have left my mark at this magnificent stadium. I know that fans expect us to get the two goals and pip Singapore to the third round,” said Safee, who has resumed training after coming down with fever on Monday.
“I have faith in my team-mates that we can meet the fans’ expectation for goals against Singapore.”
Safee was in his elements again when he scored a brace at the Jalan Besar Stadium on Saturday, stunning the Lions with the opening goal barely 26 seconds into play before following it up with a clinical finish from the top of the box.
Safee missed the Asian Zone World Cup opening round match against Taiwan last month due to injury and also the match against visiting English Premier League side Arsenal on July 13.
He made a stunning return against Liverpool on July16, coming on as a late substitute to score a brace in the last quarter of the match.
National coach Datuk K. Rajagopal will be counting on Safee to lead the way against Singapore tomorrow after deputy striker Norshahrul Idlan Talaha was ruled out with a hamstring injury.
Abdul Hadi Yahaya, Ahmad Fakri Saarani and Baddrol Bakhtiar are the possible replacements set to partner Safee upfront.
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