SKIPPER Safiq Rahim has reminded his team-mates not to take their feet off the pedal for another 90 minutes when they play against Indonesia in the second-leg final of the Suzuki Cup Asean Football Federation (AFF) championship in Jakarta tomorrow.
Malaysia exacted sweet revenge over Indonesia when they scored an astonishing 3-0 win in the first-leg match at the National Stadiuim in Bukit Jalil on Sunday.
It was payback from Indonesia, who thrashed Malaysia 5-1 in a group match at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium on Dec 1.
“We have got back even with Indonesia and now we have another 90 minutes to show that we are the better side. We are back at the same stadium and we must not get intimidated by their volatile fans and concede soft goals,” said Safiq.
The Malaysian backline, comprising Mohd Muslim Ahmad, Mohd Fadhli Shas, Mohd Asraruddin Putra and Mohd Sabree Mat Abu, were rated the weakest link in the squad at the star of the competition. But the quartet have gained in strength and with each match and have only conceded only one goal since the rout by Indonesia.
In the other Group A matches, Malaysia drew 0-0 with three-time winners Thailand before thrashing Laos 5-1. to advance to the semi-finals. Malaysia went on to eliminate defending champions Vietnam 2-0 on aggregate.
Safiq hopes the players will not be drawn into taking the return match against Indonesia easily just because they have three-goal cushion.
“It is a match to win the Suzuki Cup and we have to be on our toes. There can be no mistakes,” he said.
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