The mane middle man
Brendan could be silver-haired fox who outwits Terengganu midfield
PETALING JAYA: Selangor midfield general Brendan Gan is expecting a hair-raising midfield battle with Terengganu in their first-leg Malaysia Cup semi-final at the Petaling Jaya Stadium today.
And the 34-year-old has the perfect look for the occasion.
He has dyed his hair silver, although it has more to do with a health consciousness statement than the match.
“I wanted my hair to represent action this month - acting on your own health and reminding the others closest to you to get a health check-up with your doctors and never say to yourself, I’ll be alright, I don’t need one,’’ he said.
“It’s been over a year since I was diagnosed with testicular cancer, and it took my family and I through the trenches.
‘’But we battled through those tough days and now, we want to create more awareness about it.’’
Brendan is made of sterner stuff after that fight with the Big C, and is an inspired leader going into battle with the Turtles.
Assisted by the young and wily Mukhairi Ajmal Mahadi, Brendan could turn out to be the silver-haired fox who could outwit Terengganu’s key middle men Filipino international Manuel Ott and the Bahraini of Nigerian descent, Habib Haroon.
Brendan said it would be a battle they won’t back down from as he expects a gruelling fight over two legs.
“Terengganu’s midfield has been the key to their great run this year. (Kpah) Sherman and (Tchetche) Kipre may be scoring the goals, and Mickey (Faisal Halim) is the danger man on the flanks, but the attack and defensive solidity have a lot to do with the midfield.
“But we’ve also come a long way this season, and we’re getting better and more united as a team.’’
Brendan was quick to recall their FA Cup semi against Terengganu, where the Red Giants capitulated 2-4 in a penalty shootout after the match ended 1-1.
“In that match, we were unlucky to go out on penalties. But we gave them a run for their money, and we’ll be out to do that again.’’