Fight for survival behind Syamer’s gritty display

PENANG’S Super League relegation battle seems to have benefited midfielder Syamer Kutty Abba.

He believes that the fight for survival with Penang has strengthened him mentally and that could be seen in the way he has performed with the national team in the Kuala Lumpur SEA Games.

In Malaysia’s 21 comefrombehind Group A win over Singapore on Wednesday, the 22yearold toughtackling midfielder was at fault for conceding the goal.

Instead of buckling under the spotlight, he soldiered on and helped the team steal all three points.

“Penang are under pressure in every game. We go all out in our matches and if we make mistakes we quickly pick ourselves up,” said the George Town local.

“Beating Singapore was important because we are looking to qualify for the semifinals early. I’m glad we managed to complete the comeback against Singapore. Now we just need one win from our last two group matches to qualify for the semifinals.”

Myanmar top Group A with nine points after three matches while Malaysia are second with six after two matches. Singapore a third with three points from three matches while Laos and Brunei are winless after two matches.

Malaysia will take on Myanmar in a topofthetable clash at the Shah Alam Stadium tomorrow, which is likely to decide the group champions, before ending their group campaign against Laos on Wednesday.

The former Harimau Muda C player, who missed the team’s 2018 AFC Under23 qualifiers in Bangkok last month, is expected to partner Pahang’s Muhd Nor Azam Abdul Azih in the engine room.

Syamer welcomed the fiveday break before the Myanmar match, saying “it will allow us to refocus on the match”.

“A number of us have been playing through tight fixtures in the MLeague. So this short break enables us to focus on our recovery and prepare well for the Myanmar match,” said the former Penang Free School student.

“I missed a number of matches with the team and I have a lot of catchingup to do.”