NILAI: The national team are hoping for strong support from fans all across the country as they look to succeed in their mission to win their final AFF Cup Group A match against Myanmar at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil this Saturday in order to advance to the semi-finals of the competition.
FA of Malaysia (FAM) deputy president, Datuk Yusoff Mahadi said that the strong support from the fans can be regarded as having a 12th player on the field which can bring about a huge, positive impact for Tan Cheng Hoe’s charges as they look to advance to the elimination stage of the competition.
In fact, he explained that to date, slightly more than 40,000 tickets have already been sold and it is a good, positive sign how the stadium will be filled by Harimau Malaya fans and supporters.
“This will be a do or die match for both teams and Myanmar just need a draw, so the pressure might be more on us. In fact, when playing at Bukit Jalil we can expect a huge contingent of Myanmar fans as well who will urge their team on.
“So we are hoping that as many as possible Harimau Malaya fans will turn up at the stadium and support the national team because our players will need all the support that they can get from the fans which will also boost their morale.
"Yes, this will be a very difficult match but with the presence and support from as many fans as possible at the stadium, I believe that the national side will be able to perform even better and be able to emerge victorious,” said Yusoff when met after the national team’s training session at the Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM) training field here in Bangi earlier today (Thursday).
From tomorrow (Friday) onwards, fans can only get tickets for the match at the stadium, as the remaining 40,000 tickets will be sold at Bukit Jalil, with no more tickets being sold at Wisma FAM in Kelana Jaya or online.
Other than this, Yusoff who is also national team manager has reminded the players not to make any mistakes that could dent their efforts of advancing to the semi-finals, especially as they will be playing at home in front of their own fans.
"I have seen Myanmar in action against Vietnam earlier this week and in terms of strengths, they are not that different from us.
"We just need to improve on our game and not make too many mistakes especially in defense because I feel that we can actually win the match.
"I believe that the coach has already chartered a good game plan because even based on individual skills, we’ve got really good players in the team who have what it takes to take the side to greater heights,” he said.