Optimistic Khairul
BELIEF: Confident Malaysia can silence critics with good AFF Cup run
GOALKEEPER Khairul Fahmi Che Mat wants his teammates to relive the spirits of 2010 and 2014 when they open their AFF Cup Group B campaign against Cambodia tomorrow.
In 2010, then coach K. Rajagobal depended on mostly youngsters and despite the inexperience and an opening 5-1 thrashing by Indonesia, Malaysia won the title for the first time.
Rajagobal was questioned for fielding youngsters, mostly from the team that won the 2009 Sea Games gold medal, but he became a national hero at the end.
Two years ago, then coach Dollah Salleh was criticised for calling up veterans Indra Putra Mahayuddin and Shukor Adan but the two were instrumental in leading the team into the final before losing to Thailand.
National coach Ong Kim Swee has been facing difficult moments since the day he was officially given the job early this year as fans and concerned parties have been hammering him over coaching methods, fitness of players and mediocre results.
The job became tougher for him following the retirement of key players Safiq Rahim, Aidil Zafuan Radzak, Amirulhadi Zainal and S. Kunanlan, forcing him to try out those with little international experience since July.
But Khairul, who has 44 caps, believes the current team have the pedigree to silent critics and create history.
“We were young six years ago so there was less pressure but the expectations were still high. In 2014, no one gave Dollah and his team a chance but we made it to the final,” said Khairul yesterday.
“We are facing a similar situation this time as many are not giving us too much hope to make it far. But as a veteran in the AFF Cup, I know we have a good chance.
“The players in the team are fighters and they have set personal goals to silence critics. We have been giving total commitment in training and also improving after each match.
“There are many players with not many caps but this is not a shortcoming towards achieving success. Self-belief and motivation are the keys and we possess these characteristics.”
Khairul, Norshahrul Idlan Talaha, Safee Sali, Amri Yahyah, Fadhli Shas and Khairul Helmi Johari are the surviving members from the 2010 squad.
The 29-year-old also played two years ago along with Fadhli, Norshahrul, Safee, Ahmad Hazwan Bakri, Ahmad Fakri Saarani and Baddrol Bakhtiar, who are all in the current squad.
Khairul was given the break in the AFF Cup in 2010 when he replaced Sharbinee Allawee, who conceded five goals in the opening game against Indonesia in Jakarta, from the second match onwards.
But he played only once in 2012 and four times in 2014, making a total of 11 appearances in the tournament.
Kim Swee has three goalkeepers to choose from in Yangon with Khairul, Khairul Azhan Khalid and uncapped Hafizul Hakim Khairul Nizam Jothy vying for starts.
“All three of us are training very hard. I think Kim Swee has a pleasant headache in choosing one of us as the No 1 keeper in the tournament.
“I think having three excellent keepers is good for the team. I am doing my best and am in good shape to warrant a start but Khairul (Azhan) and Hafizul are also in excellent form,” said Khairul.
On the match against Cambodia, Khairul said they may be minnows but they have improved a lot in recent years.
“Cambodia are eager to make an impression on their return to the AFF Cup. We need to be focused as it will not be an easy game. It is important to win the opening match to get things going in the tournament,” Khairul added.