Rajagopal believes his team will be able to defend the AFF Suzuki Cup

Rajagobal berpendapat pasukan kendalian beliau berada di landasan yang betul dalam misi mempertahankan Piala AFF Suzuki yang dimenangi 2 tahun lalu walaupun keputusan perlawanan persahabatan tidak meyakinkan.

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National football coach Datuk K. Rajagopal believes his team are on course to defend the AFF Suzuki Cup although they have not impressed in recent friendly matches.

Malaysia were held to a 0-0 draw by the Philippines at Shah Alam Stadium on Friday. It was a disappointing showing with the team missing several scoring chances.

Ra­jago­­pal fielded a relatively experienced side, which also marked the return of striker Norshahrul Idlan Talaha after a long layoff through injury.

The team’s disciplined display managed to cancel out the physically superior Philippines beefed up by nine Europe based players, but woeful finishing denied the homesters a win.

Norshahrul was the toast of the team with his clever flicks and mazy dribbles and was head and shoulders above the rest.

Rajagopal admitted his side’s finishing was well below par but added that it was still too early to hit the panic button as they had time to improve.

“I wanted to see how the strikers combined as well as the team’s general progress,” said Rajagopal.

“Norshahrul and Safee Sali were very good although Norsharul is still not at his best coming back from a long layoff. He will only get better as he gets fitter and it’s a good sign for us.

“We have to remember that this is just a friendly match and the preparation for it is very much different compared to proper tournaments.

“I would have been happy if we had won but I’ll take the positives and look ahead as we prepare for the defence of the Suzuki Cup.”

Rajagopal also heaped praise on his midfield duo of K. Gurusamy and Safiq Rahim, who managed to outfox the Philippines’ Europe based stars – Stephan Schrock of Hoffenheim and ADO Den Haag’s Paul Mulders.

“Guru and Safiq also played very well and their hard work negated the impact of the Filipino midfielders.

“Safiq actually played after receiving a knock and I was worried that he might pull his hamstring but he managed to soldier on,” he said.

The national team will now prepare for their next friendly against Singapore at the Jalan Besar Stadium on June 8 and the return match at Shah Alam Stadium on June 12.

By K. RAJAN, THE STAR

Posted in: NATIONAL SQUAD