Wingback Rafiuddin out to lift Perak over JDT.
Wingback keeps Perak afloat ahead of JDT clash
PETALING JAYA: Hard-working wingback Rafiuddin Roddin is adamant that Perak are still good to win the Super League title despite the shock 1-0 loss to Melaka at home last Friday.
Perak were the dominant team in the match but they could not make their possession count to find the all-important goal. The defeat saw them drop from second before the league resumed to third in the standings and two points behind current second-placed team Terengganu.
And next for Perak are leaders and defending champions Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium tomorrow. JDT have 13 points while Perak have eight.
To get their season on the right track, Perak will have to topple the Southern Tigers in their den and the 31-year-old Rafiuddin believes his team can come out victorious.
“We may have lost our first game, but we still have six more matches. We will never stop believing,” said Rafiuddin.
“We now have to win all our home matches, and get points from away games. This is our golden chance, and we have to grab it.
“We are still in the best shape, and we will continue doing our best. The hard work continues and it will never stop.”
Since joining Perak in 2018, Rafiuddin has been a bit-part player
We may have lost our first game, but we still have six more matches. We will never stop believing.
Rafiuddin Roddin
in the team coached by Mehmet Durakovic.
But he managed to work his way into the Australian’s good books and just when things were going great, the Covid-19 pandemic struck.
Now, Rafiuddin is eyeing a place in the national team and it looks like – going by his recent performance – he will make it.
He had a short stint with the Harimau Muda squad but has yet to earn a call-up to the senior team.
“For sure, I have that ambition, but it won’t be easy. It is only hard work for me to go further in my career. Even in Perak, I did not start regularly, but I never gave up. I hope this mentality will help me earn a place in the national team.
“But for now, I want to bring at least a trophy to Perak this season and also help them qualify for the big stage, which is either the AFC Champions League or AFC Cup.”