Malaysian captain Safiq Rahim is hoping Malaysia will avoid a third straight heartbreak at the hands of Singapore in the second round of the World Cup Qualifiers.
The 24-year-old was in the team who were denied by Singapore on two occasions four years ago, first in the AFF Cup semi-finals and later in the Korat Sea Games.
But the scenario is different now as Malaysia -- who won the 2009 Laos Sea Games and 2010 AFF Cup -- are the favourites to beat Singapore in this two-leg tie.
Safiq earned his first international cap in the 2007 AFF Cup where Malaysia lost to eventual champions Singapore in the semi-finals on penalties.
"We were held 1-1 by Singapore despite taking the lead in both legs. The return leg, in Singapore, went into penalties before we were edged 5-4 after Khyril (Muhymeen Zambri) missed the final spot kick," said Safiq at the Jalan Besar Stadium yesterday.
"A few months later, I suffered my second heartbreak at the Korat Sea Games. Singapore denied us a semi-final spot after they scored a late goal to force a draw."
"I am determined to lead my team to victory this time. We are 100 per cent committed to give our best as our aim is to go as far as possible in this event," he added.
Midfielder Amirulhadi Zainal and striker Safee Sali are the other surviving members of the 2007 Sea Games squad.
"Our success of late will not mean anything if we fail to get the better of them. We need to motivate ourselves, the way we did in last year's AFF Cup, where we came back stronger after our opening 5-1 defeat to Indonesia to win the title."
PROBABLE LINE-UPS
Malaysia: Khairul Fahmi Che Mat, Muslim Ahmad, Mohd Fadhli Shas, Asraruddin Putra Omar, Mahalli Jasuli, Amar Rohidan, Safiq Rahim (cpt), S. Kunanlan, Amirulhadi Zainal, Abdul Hadi Yahya, Safee Sali.
Singapore: Izwan Mahbud, Daniel Bennett, Safuwan Baharudin, Ismail Yunos, Juma'at Jantan, Hariss Harun, Mustafic Fahrudin, ,Shahdan Sulaiman, Shi Jia Yi, Shahril Ishak(cpt), Aleksandar Duric.
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