KUALA LUMPUR: Safawi Rasid and Akhyar Rashid are the reasons why Terengganu have had a great start to the new Super League season.
The unbeaten East Coast side are second in the standings with two wins and one draw.
And national coach Kim Pan Gon is banking on the attacking duo to step up to the plate in the absence of injured key players Faisal Halim, Arif Aiman Hanapi, Romel Morales, Azam Azmi Murad and Darren Lok.
Harimau Malaya must beat Kyrgyzstan on June 6 and Taiwan on June 11 in the qualifiers to keep their World Cup dream alive.
Pan Gon said Safawi and Akhyar have shone for Terengganu in the ongoing Super League.
"Now that they've gained (playing) minutes, I'm happy for them.
"They should demonstrate their best and seize this opportunity to elevate their game in the national team."