Malaysian captain Safiq wants to avenge past disappointments against Singapore

Malaysia will be wiser in their approach against Singapore in the Asian Zone World Cup second round, first-leg qualifying match at the Jalan Besar Stadium here today (7.30pm).

After suffering heartbreaks against the Lions in a couple of major regional competitions held over the years, the team under coach Datuk K. Rajagopal will be hoping history will not repeat itself.

National skipper Safiq Rahim said he has had enough of disappointments involving matches between Malaysia and Singapore since making his international debut in 2007.

“Enough is enough and I don’t want us to go through another heartbreak,” said Safiq, who has nothing but bad memories of his past encounters against the Lions.

The first blow was when Singapore knocked out Malaysia in the semi-finals of the Asean Football Federation (AFF) Championship in a penalty shoot-out 4-5 (2-2 on aggregate) in 2007.

“We led on both legs (home and away) but Singapore came back with the equaliser. In the end, we lost out on penalty kicks after Khyril’s (Muhymeen) weak shot was saved by Singapore goalkeeper Lionel Lewis. I was the baby of the squad, then,” recalled Safiq.

Then, the other blow came at the 2007 SEA Games (Under-23) in Korat. Malaysia were barely five minutes away from winning their ticket into the semi-finals when Singapore striker Agu Casmir scored the equaliser after Mohd Amirulhadi Zainal had given Malaysia an early lead.

“It was a game which we needed to win to qualify to the semi-finals while Singapore needed only a draw. Again, we had the lead but we conceded a late goal and our dreams of reaching the semi-finals went up in smoke,” said Safiq.

Safiq is the only member of the current Malaysian squad who played against Singapore in the two separate competitions in 2007.

“I know what it feels like to be on the losing side, especially against Singapore. The expectations of the fans are high and I am wiser from the past experiences.

“This time, I am looking for a positive result in both legs and I don’t want to be on the losing side for the third time,” said Safiq.

However, the last meeting between the two neighbours was in a friendly which ended in a 2-2 draw at the MBPJ Stadium in Kelana Jaya in 2008. And Malaysia’s last win over Singapore was in a friendly at the KL Football Stadium in Cheras in 2004.

Mohd Amirulhadi Zainal, who played at the 2007 SEA Games in Korat said it was painful to bow out from the group stages when they were barely minutes away from clinching their ticket into the semi-finals.

“It is a cruel way to go down and it was a good lesson for me,” said Mohd Amirul, who will start in right-midfield together with S. Kunalan (left) and the two central players – Safiq and Amar Rohidan.

Khairul Fahmi Che Mat is expected to start in goal while the defence will be marshalled by Muslim Ahmad, Mohd Fadhli Shas (centre-backs), Mahalli Jasuli (right) and Mohd Asraruddin Putra Omar (left) while Mohd Safee Sali will play up front with Abdul Hadi Yahaya.