Football: ATM defender insists he didn’t hurt LionsXII striker on purpose

Football: ATM defender insists he didn’t hurt LionsXII striker on purpose

Amiridzwan Taj Tajuddin has become public enemy No. 1 for the LionsXII fans.

The ATM FA defender's shocking kick flush on the face of Singapore international Fazrul Nawaz late in the Malaysia Cup quarter-final, second-leg match in Selayang on Oct 4, when the LionsXII lost 4-1, left the striker with a shocking head injury.

The 28-year-old suffered fractures to the front of his skull and cheekbone, and is scheduled for surgery on Thursday to insert a titanium mesh in his forehead and cheek.

Fazrul's professional career is in jeopardy. Doctors will assess how the injuries heal about three months after the operation, before making a recommendation on his playing future.

In the best-case scenario, the hardworking forward can continue playing, but with a protective headgear, similar to the one Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech uses, for the rest of his career.

Speaking to The New Paper yesterday, Amiridzwan said: "I am very sorry about Fazrul's injury.

"I was going for the ball and I really didn't mean to injure him. "I hope he recovers soon and I am planning to visit him at the end of next week - after this international week and the first leg of ATM's Malaysia Cup semifinal against Kelantan."

Bashed

The Kelantan-born defender revealed that he found out the extent of Fazrul's injury only after he was "bashed" by the LionsXII fans on Twitter. He said: "I didn't reply because I didn't want to make things worse. "It's understandable that people are upset.

"But I hope they will realise I wasn't out to end a fellow professional's career, like some of the LionsXII fans accused me of." ATM coach B Sathianathan defended his player, who received a straight red for his actions.

While the former Malaysia coach admitted his defender "made a wrong decision and a bad challenge", Sathianathan, 55, added: "I'm very sorry to hear about the serious injury and I pray he recovers.

"If you look at the replay, Amir has his eyes only on the ball and had his leg up first before Fazrul tried to head the ball. "Both players made split-second decisions and unfortunately Fazrul has come off with a terrible injury.

"I can assure you there was no malice in the challenge and Amir really regrets it.

"We offer our sincere apologies and we hope Fazrul can get back to playing football again as soon as possible."

I am not angry

Few would have been surprised if he was angry, but Fazrul Nawaz is not upset with ATM FA defender Amiridzwan Taj Tajuddin.

A week after the 28-year-old had his skull and cheekbone fractured in a horror challenge by Amiridzwan in the dying minutes of the Malaysia Cup quarter- final, second-leg match last week in Selangor, the LionsXII striker said: "No lah, I'm not angry with him. "This is football, anything can happen. "After the incident, I heard him say sorry, and I accept that.

"Seriously, what's past is past. There is no point for me to get angry, whether it was intentional or not."

Fazrul (left), who scored six league and cup goals this season as the LionsXII lifted the Malaysian Super League title and reached the Malaysia Cup quarterfinals, spoke of his shock when he found out the extent of his injuries. The Singapore international told The New Paper: "I didn't think it was that bad.

"It didn't hurt that bad at first and the doctors at the hospital in Malaysia said there was nothing wrong. "But after I went back to the hotel, the pain started to set in and I also felt giddy. "I'm better now, even though I have to be on painkillers to cope with the pain."

It was only when he returned to Singapore last Saturday and went for a check at Raffles Hospital that Fazrul realised how serious his injuries were. He will undergo surgery on Thursday. Down the road, doctors will assess if he can continue playing. Even if he gets the green light, Fazrul will have to wear protective headgear.

Think twice

With his LionsXII contract expiring at the end of the year, clubs could think twice about signing the forward, who has 64 caps and six international goals to his name.

But, ever the fighter, Fazrul is convinced he will be back playing top-level football.

"The doctors say I have a good chance of making a comeback, so I'm taking things positively now. "I'm just thinking of making a speedy recovery," he said. "And God willing, I'll be back playing as soon as possible. "I also want to thank the fans, teammates and everyone who has shown so much concern for me."


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