SUPERSUB Mohd Ashaari Shamsuddin, nicknamed the ‘Baby-face Assassin’, has scored on his return to the national team after a lapse of two years.
The Golden Boot winner in the M-League this season was a last-minute inclusion for the AFF tournament following injuries to regular forwards Mohd Zaquan Adha Abdul Razak, Ahmad Fakri Saarani and S. Chanturu.
On Sunday, coach K. Rajagopal gave Mohd Ashaari his first break to play in the tournament.
And he went on to score the second goal in Malaysia’s 3-0 win over Indonesia in the first-leg final.
“I am lucky to get this break and I hope to get more playing time,” said the soft-spoken lanky striker from Terengganu.
Norsharul Idlan Talaha created the chance when he beat his marker and found an unmarked Ashaari lurking in the box to hit a first-timer past goalkeeper Markus Harison.
In fact, Ashaari is set to get a big break to start in the second-leg match tomorrow following the exit of Mohd Amirulhadi Zainal because of suspension for two yellow card offences.
“If given the chance, I will give my best.
“The goal against Indonesia has raised my confidence.
“I have come from a long layoff and I hope to get back on the right track,” he said.
Ashaari scored in his first senior international outing against India two years ago.
Then, he also came in as a substitute to level the score at 1-1.
He made a name for himself two years ago when he emerged as the top scorer in Sukma (Malaysia Games) with 11 goals to help Terengganu win the gold medal.
In the same year, he scored nine goals for the Turtles in the Super League.
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