FROM the Western hemisphere to the east, Guilherme De Paula, the intrepid interloper has learnt that love is fickle in football.
On Friday, fans at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil chanted his name warmly as he scored a penalty in Malaysia's 4-0 win over Brunei in an international friendly. He has not experienced such a "feel good" response for a while.
De Paula became a naturalised player for Malaysia two years ago. Initially, there was love for the man from Sao Paulo by fans in his adopted country but it later turned to scorn, and he was often assailed on social media.
Such adverse feelings were largely due to the national team's poor results and striker De Paula's lack of goals.
But this has done little to discourage De Paula and he is determined to win back the fans with his actions.
The 36-year-old said the more negative comments he receives, the more determined he is to push himself on the pitch to silence his critics.
De Paula said more importantly, he wants to give something back to Malaysia who has faith in him.
"I don't put pressure on myself because I know my quality, I know what I need to do.
"We have good and bad moments, this happens in football. To be criticised is normal for me... it doesn't matter because it makes me train harder."
The penalty against Brunei was De Paula's second goal for Malaysia. His first, also a penalty, was in the international friendly against Kuwait last year (Malaysia lost 4-1).
According to De Paula, the playing system of new national coach Kim Pan Gon is not restrictive, and it allows every player a chance at goal.
"There are more chances for us now, everybody is ready to score, whether it's Safawi Rasid, Akhyar Rashid or Arif Aiman Hanapi or others.
"Pan Gon's system gives us the freedom to do things we want on the pitch. The players are happy and for me the chance is coming, I just want to be ready to score goals," said De Paula who feels liberated to play his natural Brazilian game under Pan Gon.
The designated penalty taker in Friday's match against Brunei was Safawi Rasid but he declined and asked De Paula to take the spot kick instead.
Safawi said De Paula had not scored in a while and that getting a goal would boost the latter's morale. If De Paula shines in the Asian Cup qualifiers at the National Stadium next month, he will win a place in the hearts of Malaysian fans and justify Malaysia's faith in him.