The Harimau Malaya have just another 90 minutes or so to bring the AFF Suzuki Cup back to Malaysia. After a brilliant display at the Bukit Jalil Stadium, where the Malaysian Football team outplayed Indonesia’s more fancied football team, with a 3 – 0 result, the team now is just minutes away from glory. Provided they can produce an even more spectacular performance tonight. I believe they can.
Malaysia has long waited for football success. Even at the South East Asia region, we have not seen much success in terms of football. Yes, we had the SEA Games gold medal last year. That, however is an under 23 event. While the gold was meaningful, it was still not the kind of success that quenches the thirst for success for fans of the national team.
Tonight, at the Gelora Bung Karno stadium in Indonesia, our senior squad has the chance to quench that thirst. The last time we got this chance was in 1996. We lost 1-0 to Thailand. Tonight, after a long 14 year wait, Malaysia is once again in the limelight.
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The last time Malaysia faced Indonesia at the GBK, the home side totally trashed our team. It was the first match of the tournament for both team. Since then, Malaysia, as everyone who follows the team’s performance in this tournament knows, has improved tremendously.
After allowing 5 goals past them, the Malaysian team have developed a pretty stout defense. Since that first game, they have only let in one single goal. Thailand have failed. Vietnam tried twice and failed. Indonesia, who have been scoring in every single match thus far, before Bukit Jalil, have failed. No matter how they tried, none of them have been able to pry open the Malaysian defense and score.
Some might say that it’s all just luck. Well, I do have to admit, luck does play a part to some extent. However, one goal allowed in over 450 minutes of football, I don’t think that’s sheer luck. The Malaysian defense is probably the best defense unit in South East Asia at the moment.
In attack, our strikers and attacking midfielders are no pushovers either. Safee, NorShahrul, Kuna, Safiq, Amirulhadi and Ashraf are all capable of striking it and creating for others. As a matter of fact, Safee is currently the top scorer of the tournament with four goals to his name. This is after being quiet during the group stage.
Rising to the occasion and hitting form at the right time. That’s what it’s all about. The Malaysian Football team – officials, coaches and players have timed their performance to peak correctly this year. After crashing in the Asian Games and the first game of this tourney, the team has bounced back with a vengeance.
One could probably say that Malaysia has played out their worst games during the Asian Games and reached rock bottom in the first match against Indonesia. After that, the only route they can go is up. Certainly, that’s where they are at the moment. Almost reaching the pinnacle of their performance for the year 2010.
To the Malaysian Football team. You have the entire nation believing in you tonight. We believe that you will reach the highs of your performance. We believe you can bring back the glory days of Malaysian Football. All you need to do is believe in yourselves and play to your utmost for Malaysia.
Fikirkan Boleh! Enjoy the best performance of your 2010. Lets bring home the AFF Suzuki Cup 2010! Indonesia 0 – 2 Malaysia.
How many goals are we going to score tonight?