Safee on fire but Bennett stays cool, Despite No 1o's exploits against Liverpool, Lions defenders unfazed

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SINGAPORE - There will be a bounce Safee Sali's step when he walks onto the artificial green at Jalan Besar Stadium on Saturday. The Malaysia No 10 found the net twice against English giants Liverpool last Saturday, when K Rajagobal's Tigers lost 6-3 at the Bukit Jalil Stadium.

The striker who received rave reviews for his five-goal burst at last December's AFF Suzuki Cup is hitting form at just the right time.

While the Lions have taken notice, Safee will probably not have his playing partner beside him for the first leg of the Asian Zone World Cup qualifier, as sources have revealed that gifted forward Norshahrul Idlan, the creative force in the Malaysian team, has not been included in the Malaysian roster as he has not recovered from a hamstring injury.

Coach Rajagobal was coy, though.

Speaking to Today over the phone yesterday, he said: "What's the problem if he's not in the list? Anyway, nothing is confirmed until we arrive in Singapore.

"Whether he comes or not, I'll be there."

The coach may have been disappointed if he'd seen Singapore's first-choice goalkeeper Lionel Lewis playing in a kickabout at training last night. He looks to be winning his battle for fitness, after suffering a groin injury.

Daniel Bennett and Safuwan Baharudin could be the central defensive partnership in front of Lewis on Saturday.

Whether it is Safee on his own upfront, or if Norshahrul plays, the pair say they're ready.

"We've watched several videos of Malaysia and we know Safee's proven to have clinical finishing, and can turn half-chances into goals," said Safuwan.

"If I play, I'll have to keep a close check on him, and go in hard in tackles."

Veteran Bennett said: "We're going to have to fight at the back and deal with a lot of long balls. Malaysia work hard and don't stop running."

SAFFC's Bennett is 33, while the Courts Young Lions' Safuwan is just 19, and he could be the youngest player on the field if Radojko Avramovic decides to start him on Saturday.

Their partnership is only one match old: Both played together for the first time on Monday's 3-2 friendly win over Taiwan.

Midfield ace Hariss Harun, 20, could also be a candidate to partner Bennett in central defence.

"I'm comfortable with either of them, they're both good players. It's a new partnership, but as long as we talk to each other, we'll be alright," said Bennett.

"And we won't just be pumping the ball, we'll try to pass it around and build it from the back."

Though the Singapore defence shipped two goals against Taiwan, Bennett believes that was a good time to make mistakes.

"Sometimes it's better that the game before a big match doesn't go quite as planned, so you can concentrate on getting things right," he said. "When the big one comes along you'll be more focused."

Safuwan believes focus will make the difference on Saturday. "It all comes down to mental strength. You can be big, strong, tactically and technically sound, but if you can't focus and work as a team, then you won't win," he said.

The teenager is looking forward to working with the 97-cap Bennett, if given the nod by Avramovic.

"I would rather play with Bennett than anyone else, he's always talking and giving instructions during the game, and has encouraging words whenever I have doubts.

"(Along with fullbacks Juma'at Jantan and Ismail Yunos) I think we have a good four-man defence," he said.

Grandstand tickets costing S$23 each for the July 28 return leg at Kuala Lumpur's Bukit Jalil Stadium will be on sale from today until Friday between 12pm and 8pm at the Jalan Besar Stadium's main office. Only 2,000 tickets are available.