Syafiq aims to fight on after devastating blow

KUALA LUMPUR: National striker Muhammad Syafiq Ahmad suffered a devastating blow last December when his 22-day-old son Muhammad Aisy Saqeef and mother-in-law were killed in an accident.

Instead of wallowing in self-pity, Muhammad Syafiq intends to use that to inspire him as he works on getting back to his best with the Harimau Malaya squad ahead of their 2022 World Cup/2023 Asian Cup second round qualifiers in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) next month.

Fielded as a second-half substitute in the national team's 4-1 loss to Kuwait on Sunday (May 23), he acknowledged that the 45 minutes were not enough for him to regain his rhythm, especially since the Harimau Malaya last played as a team nearly 18 months ago.

However, he is confident that he still has time to improve himself, as do the team, ahead of their Group G second-round qualifiers against the UAE on June 3, Vietnam on June 11 and Thailand on June 15.

"I just need the trust of the coaches and my teammates to prove myself because we are just three matches away (from the third round of the World Cup qualifiers). So, it will be a waste if we do not grasp this opportunity.

"As for me, when I am on the pitch, I forget all my problems. I have gone through a tough period (since the accident). It was definitely a tough time... cannot be forgotten. But I have spoken to a lot of people who are more positive. What happened was fate, that's life.

"For the sake of my parents, wife and my other child, I have to fight on. For now, the most important mission for me, the team and the people of Malaysia is to qualify (for the Asian Cup)," he said at a virtual media conference yesterday.

Coach Tan Cheng Hoe's men are now in Manama, where they are scheduled to play a Tier 1 international friendly against world No 98 Bahrain tomorrow before returning to Dubai for the qualifiers.

Commenting on his partnership with naturalised player Guilherme de Paula, Muhammad Syafiq, who has so far netted two goals in the qualifying campaign against the UAE and Indonesia, said theirs was still a work in progress.

"De Paula is a good, quality player. If we are paired up, we have to build up an understanding because you need good chemistry to score goals. With the qualities he has, he can help me get the goals," he said.

However, de Paula will not be fielded against Bahrain as he has not resided in Malaysia for five years, which is a requirement under FIFA's rules. He will fulfil the requirement only on May 31.

-- BERNAMA