Stay sharp, suspended Syafiq tells teammates

PETALING JAYA: National team striker Syafiq Ahmad is out of the much-anticipated 2022 World Cup2023 Asia Cup qualifier Group G match against Indonesia at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil tomorrow but he wants his teammates to fight on and keep their winning form.

The 24-year-old Syafiq and rightback Matthew Davies are suspended for the clash against the Garuda after collecting two yellow cards in their matches against Vietnam and Thailand.

Syafiq has scored five goals from nine matches this year including two in the qualifiers – against Indonesia in the 3-2 win in Jakarta on Sept 5 and against UAE in the 1-2 loss in Bukit Jalil on Sept 10.

The Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) player said he was disappointed to miss the Indonesia game and added that the win over Thailand on Thursday had put their Asia Cup qualifying campaign back on track.

“I’m glad to get the win and it enables us to stay in the fight for the next round of the qualifiers. We all worked hard and deserved the win,” said Syafiq.

“Of course, I’m disappointed at missing the game against Indonesia but there’s nothing much I can do about it now.”

“I hope my teammates can continue with their fighting spirit. We are a family here in the national team. We might come from different places but we all are one here.”

“Everyone in the national team is ready to play, the coach has prepared the team and players all this while ... we have capable players who can step in and replace the unavailable players,” he said, when asked about the effect his absence will have.