The selfless sub
Malik willing to stay on the bench if that can help Turtles win
PETALING JAYA: Terengganu striker Abdul Malik Mat Ariff is willing to drop back to the bench if that will help end his team’s winless run.
The Turtles have yet to register their first win after they were held to a 1-1 draw by PKNS and lost 0-3 to Pahang in the Super League.
The East Coast side face a daunting test in their next match as they take on defending champions Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) at the Sultan Ismail Stadium in Kuala Terengganu tonight.
Malik, who scored the equaliser after coming on as a substitute against PKNS, made it to the starting XI against Pahang but was ineffective in that match.
“We’re playing the defending champions and it’s a big test for us but I believe we can play much better compared to the opening two games,” said the nippy forward.
“We must take the chances we create well. We need to get the goals. I think being a super sub suits me better. I managed to score against PKNS when I came on as a substitute but when I started against Pahang, I couldn’t score.”
Meanwhile, JDT defender Azrif Nasrulhaq Badrul Hisham has warned his teammates against complacency after winning their opening two matches.
The Southern Tigers have yet to fire on all cylinders but still managed to beat Perak 1-0 in the Charity Shield match before whipping Kuala Lumpur 4-1 last week. Azrif said despite their good start, the five-time Super League champions still have a long season to endure.
“It’s great that we won our first two matches but Terengganu will be a dangerous opponent to face as they will be out to record their first win of the season,” said the rightback.
“We’ve to work harder because Terengganu have good players and will be playing in front of their home crowd. For us in JDT, there’s no such thing as an easy match and we will work hard as always as reminded by our ‘boss’ (Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim).”