Skipper Safiq has faced hell and come through it

SKIPPER Safiq Rahim is a rookie in the business.

He just got to wear the captain’s armband late this year and he has already experienced hell.

“It was like going war,” said Safiq of his experience in travelling with his team-mates on board a police armoured vehicle (Baraccuda) for the second-leg final of the Asean tournament at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta on Wednesday night.

“It was some experience for me and the boys. But it was a great feeling to come out of it all tops. It was a great team effort from everyone and we should maintain this family bond for our future aspirations.”

The Selangor midfielder was handed the skipper’s armband at the Guangzhou Asian Games last month in the absence of Mohd Aidil Zafuan Abdul Razak and Norhafiz Zamani Misbah.

Mohd Aidil did not make the squad for the Asiad after undergoing knee surgery while Norhafiz picked up injury in the opening match against Kyrgyzstan.

Safiq was made captain for the first time in the match against Asian giants Japan, which Malaysia lost 0-2. Then came the nightmare when he was sent off in the match against China for protesting against the referee’s decision.

“It was a terrible thing to happen. We had injury problems and the coach had no depth in reserves in the squad. It was a painful experience but I guess it is all for my benefit,” he said.

Safiq plays a commanding attacking role in the national team. He scored a brilliant goal in Malaysia’s 1-0 win over the South Korean Olympic side (national Under-21) in a friendly match at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil in July.