MALAYSIA will look to Aidil Zafuan Radzak as the galvaniser in their mission to beat Cambodia today.
Playing his 93rd international match, Aidil, the captain, is counted on to use his vast experience to guide a young Malaysian team in the AFF Cup in Singapore.
However, the 34-year-old centre-back wished his team had more time to prepare. They didn't even get to play a warm-up match for the AFF Cup campaign.
Right after the Malaysia Cup final ended on Tuesday, the national team departed for Singapore three days later.
Aidil believes that any good preparation for an international tournament should include a warm-up match. But the circumstances did not permit it.
Harimau Malaya's target in the AFF Cup, as set by FAM, is to qualify for the Cup final. And the Seremban-born Aidil to shepherd the team.
Against lowly Cambodia, seen as a "must-win for three points" group match, the expectations on Aidil's team need no explanations.
But for Aidil, it is not the same old beatable Cambodia.
"We have studied Cambodia's game. They are a completely different squad now from when we saw them last in 2018," said Aidil.
"Their style is different, they are more composed with the ball. We can't risk thinking they are the same squad or think it will be an easy win. Cambodia have changed a lot in the last two to three years."
To be fair to Aidil, Harimau Malaya are really not well prepared due to the cramped M-League. It's not easy to put on a winning act after a long tiring domestic season.
The Cambodian league ended nine days earlier than Malaysia's. And the Angkor Warriors are better rested than Aidil's men.