KUALA LUMPUR - A pride of 23 Lions descended onto the Maybank Training Centre here for their first training session, charged with the task of following up on their 5-3 win on Saturday, and vanquishing old rivals Malaysia in their own den.
As the crowd of players looked for a spot to settle on, it was easy to spot the duo who were responsible for destroying the Malaysian midfield last Saturday - Hariss Harun and Mustafic Fahrudin were sitting right next to each other, just as they were for much of the match on the Jalan Besar Stadium green, when they formed a formidable barrier to thwart the visitors' attacking schemes.
Speaking to Today, Mustafic said yesterday: "From that first day he (Hariss) came to training, I felt comfortable with him, we understand each other very well. Sometimes we don't have to talk, I look into his eyes I know what he's going to do, so I just react.
"It's really important that on the field we have that understanding."
On Saturday, their movement was like clockwork, their tackles devastating, and together Hariss and Mustafic formed an iron curtain in the middle of the pitch.
On the back of the powerful performance by the central midfield duo, Singapore hold the handy advantage going into the second leg of the second round World Cup qualifier on Thursday at the 90,000-capacity Bukit Jalil Stadium.
Hariss actually set up his midfield partner to volley home Singapore's third on Saturday in what was surely the goal of the night.
The 20-year-old modestly says he has much to learn from the man 10 years his senior.
"He's (Mustafic) got a lot of composure, and he holds the midfield really well even when he's alone - I've got loads to learn," said Hariss. "When I first came into the team I kept to myself, but he offered several words of encouragement.
"His tackles send goose bumps through you, and makes you want to be like him ... he's a hard nut."
Despite their age difference, Mustafic has no qualms about Hariss donning the armband as the Lions' leader on the pitch in the absence of Shahril Ishak.
"No, no problem. I think he definitely deserves that, I'm proud to play with him; the best example is how he played with all his heart in the last game," said the midfield enforcer.
"The way he behaves for a 20-year-old boy, he's a great example for young kids."
Hariss feels the older players in the team will play a key role when the Lions step out into what is expected to be a cauldron on Thursday.
"We have a good mix of youth and experience in this team ... and with the old heads to guide us, we have to be confident - we will have a good go," Hariss vowed.
Aleksandar Duric was easily recognised by members of the watching Malaysian media after his two-goal performance on Saturday; perhaps after Thursday, it will be Hariss and Mustafic elevated to the top of Malaysia's list of "public enemies".
Said Mustafic: "No two matches are the same, but we are expecting to play a similar role. We'll see what the coach wants."
As the crowd of players looked for a spot to settle on, it was easy to spot the duo who were responsible for destroying the Malaysian midfield last Saturday - Hariss Harun and Mustafic Fahrudin were sitting right next to each other, just as they were for much of the match on the Jalan Besar Stadium green, when they formed a formidable barrier to thwart the visitors' attacking schemes.
Speaking to Today, Mustafic said yesterday: "From that first day he (Hariss) came to training, I felt comfortable with him, we understand each other very well. Sometimes we don't have to talk, I look into his eyes I know what he's going to do, so I just react.
"It's really important that on the field we have that understanding."
On Saturday, their movement was like clockwork, their tackles devastating, and together Hariss and Mustafic formed an iron curtain in the middle of the pitch.
On the back of the powerful performance by the central midfield duo, Singapore hold the handy advantage going into the second leg of the second round World Cup qualifier on Thursday at the 90,000-capacity Bukit Jalil Stadium.
Hariss actually set up his midfield partner to volley home Singapore's third on Saturday in what was surely the goal of the night.
The 20-year-old modestly says he has much to learn from the man 10 years his senior.
"He's (Mustafic) got a lot of composure, and he holds the midfield really well even when he's alone - I've got loads to learn," said Hariss. "When I first came into the team I kept to myself, but he offered several words of encouragement.
"His tackles send goose bumps through you, and makes you want to be like him ... he's a hard nut."
Despite their age difference, Mustafic has no qualms about Hariss donning the armband as the Lions' leader on the pitch in the absence of Shahril Ishak.
"No, no problem. I think he definitely deserves that, I'm proud to play with him; the best example is how he played with all his heart in the last game," said the midfield enforcer.
"The way he behaves for a 20-year-old boy, he's a great example for young kids."
Hariss feels the older players in the team will play a key role when the Lions step out into what is expected to be a cauldron on Thursday.
"We have a good mix of youth and experience in this team ... and with the old heads to guide us, we have to be confident - we will have a good go," Hariss vowed.
Aleksandar Duric was easily recognised by members of the watching Malaysian media after his two-goal performance on Saturday; perhaps after Thursday, it will be Hariss and Mustafic elevated to the top of Malaysia's list of "public enemies".
Said Mustafic: "No two matches are the same, but we are expecting to play a similar role. We'll see what the coach wants."
No comments:
Post a Comment