From the prime minister to the layman in the streets or the villages and kampungs – it is merely AFF or Suzuki Cup – two words that have become the talk of the nation as Malaysia prepare to face Vietnam in the two-leg finals.
Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, who in his own words “not a football fan” has promised that he will be at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil on Tuesday for the first leg.
“Please don’t disappoint me and the rakyat. Work hard and win this final as the nation’s pride and dignity is our responsibility,” said Dr. Mahathir who also advised the players to be disciplined.
National head coach Tan Cheng Hoe admitted that the prime minister’s words have a tremendous impact on the team.
“It is not only motivating but added incentives for the team to win the cup. The whole nation is talking about the (AFF) Suzuki Cup final. The atmosphere is different after we beat the defending champions (Thailand) for a place in the final,” said Cheng Hoe after a light workout at the Palace of Golden Horses where the team is staying, on Saturday.
The evening training session will be held at the Universiti Islam Sains Malaysia in Nilai.
Malaysia will be without the suspended Syahmi Safari while Aidil Zafuan Abdul Radzak who is nursing a hamstring injury for the first leg at Nasional Stadium but Cheng Hoe is “not too concerned” with the duo’s absence.
“The team is highly motivated. No many gave us a chance to even reach the knockout stage…but here we are at the last hurdle. A lot is at stake in the final and you can expect a real battle from the team,” said Cheng Hoe. – BY RIZAL ABDULLAH
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