Drained Safawi recharges for JDT’s secondleg clash with Selangor

PETALING JAYA: Too much football can have a negative effect on a player’s performance.

And Johor Darul Ta’zim’s (JDT) young winger Safawi Rasid (pic) has admitted that fatigue is beginning to affect his form.

The Dungun-born lad was a pale shadow of himself when he turned out for Malaysia in the 1-0 loss to Vietnam in the 2022 World Cup2023 Asian Cup Group G qualifying match in Hanoi.

Last Saturday, the 22-year-old player was subdued throughout his team’s 2-1 victory over Selangor in the Malaysia Cup semi-final first-leg tie in Larkin.

“To be honest, I was knackered. No matter how hard I try, I couldn’t get my game going,” said Safawi, who has scored seven goals in the Malaysia Cup to date.

“For the return leg in Shah Alam on Saturday, I’m confident I can recover in time. I’m going to make sure mentally and physically, I’m in tip top condition.”

This season, Safawi has played 33 games for the Southern Tigers and seven for the national team.

Throughout the year, he has scored 19 goals - 16 for JDT and three for Harimau Malaya.

A key player for both club and nation, the former national Under23 sensation admitted that the Selangor match was tough for him.

“I’m used to scoring and providing assists but in that game, I couldn’t do much.

“But I’m glad to have a coach like (Benjamin) Mora and a manager like Luciano (Figueroa).

“They constantly motivate me and never uttered a negative remark. They know what I’m capable of.

“I think it’s time to repay their faith in the second leg.”

Safawi said he is treating the game against the 33-time Malaysia Cup champions like a final.

“Selangor are a tough team, and we only won by a slim margin at home. I also have a personal goal to achieve.

“In 2017, I didn’t get the chance to play in the Cup final. This time, I want to make sure I’m in the team when we lift the trophy.”