As the second leg of the 2014 World Cup Asian Zone Qualifier against Singapore draws closer, all eyes are now on K. Rajagobal's boys and their mission at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil tomorrow.
The 5-3 loss to The Lions in the first leg at the Jalan Besar Stadium must be put behind and the players must now focus on shackling the foreign-powered Singapore side.
There is everything to play for and Rajagobal must now sharpen his attack and fortify his defence, the department that is most vulnerable having leaked in 17 goals in four matches.
Aidil Zafuan Abdul Razak's return from injury to central defence will be a relief to fans and coach Rajagobal, especially after the horrow show in the first leg.
Singapore's Aleksandar Duric was a bane to the Malaysian defence and must be stopped at all cost.
Aidil, who should partner Fadhli Shas on Thursday, should provide the much needed muscle and stability to the backline that looked weak and lost. His excellent reading of the game and experience should boost the team's overall confidence as well.
The others that may start in defence are Muslim Ahmad, Asraruddin Putra Omar and Mahali Jasuli.
The Harimau Malaya need to win by a two goal margin, an achieveable task although the team will be without injured striker Norshahrul Idlan Talaha.
National captain, Safiq Rahim, misses the match due to suspension after picking up a red card in the first leg and Rajagobal will now have to chose either Amar Rohidan, Shakir Shaari, K. Gurusamy or Ismail Faruqi Ashari to replace him.
Amar is seen as the ideal choice to replace Safiq as the Kedah player can provide the stability in the middle and protect the defence.
The others who should start in midfield are Baddrol Bakhtiar, S Kunalan dan Mohd Amirulhadi Zainal.
Safee Sali will spearhead the attack and should be partnered with Ahmad Fakri Saarani, Mohd Ashaari Samsudin atau Abdul Hadi Yahya.
Khairul Fahmi Che Mat could return in goal for Malaysia to replace Mohd Sharbinee Allawee who conceded the five goals in the first leg.
Tough defending and an all out attack will the perfect gift for the estimated 70,000 Malaysian fans that will be at the stadium Thursday night.
For the Harimau Malaya, it will be an all-or-nothing match against arch-rivals Singapore as only a comfortable win will see them march on and hand local fans the bragging rights.
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