Skipper Nazirul To Rally Up The Troops Against Japan

30 Mac, 2015



PETALING JAYA: National Under-23 skipper Nazirul Naim Che Hashim has issued a clarion call to his team-mates to get a positive result against fancied Japan in their final AFC Under-23 qualifiers Group I match at the Shah Alam Stadium on Tuesday.

Coach Razip Ismail’s men had virtually kissed goodbye their hopes of playing in next year’s Finals in Qatar after losing 2-1 to Vietnam in their opening match on Friday.

Malaysia only have a mathematical chance of qualifying after beating Macau 2-0 on Sunday. They are currently third below Vietnam on head-to-head record although both teams have three points after two matches.

Japan, who top the table with six points from two matches, have already confirmed their berth.

Leftback Nazirul admitted they have an uphill battle against the Japanese and added that they have to use their home advantage to get the result.

“It’s going to be a hard match and we are all ready to give our best in front of our home supporters,” said the 21-year-old who had a stint with Japan’s Third Division side FC Ryukyu in 2013.

“Japan play possession football and I believe our coach will come out with a strategy for the match. If everyone give their best I’m sure we can get a good result.”

Despite Nazirul’s optimism, the odds are heavily stacked against Malaysia as it has been 29 years since a Malaysian side beat Japan.

Malaysia’s last win against Japan came in the 1986 Merdeka Tournament semi-final with a 2-1 win in Kuala Lumpur.

Meanwhile, coach Razip Ismail conceded that his side face a do-or-die mission.

“We still have a slight chance as anything can happen in football but we have to be realistic as we are going against Japan who are the favourites in the competition,” said the former international.

Only the top 10 group winners plus the five second best-placed runners-up qualify for the Finals. From there, only the top three get to play in the Olympics.

Sumber - K. Rajan www.thestar.com.my