Malaysia Cup: Time for Shahfiq to stand up

His last outing in a LionsXII jersey ended in disgrace, after he slapped Sarawak forward Muamer Salibasic in the box right in front of the referee's assistant.

He was sent off, and the resultant penalty condemned the Singapore outfit to a 2-1 defeat.

Back from suspension, Shahfiq Ghani will be looking to deliver a sucker punch against the same opponents Wednesday night at the Jalan Besar Stadium in a crucial Malaysia Cup Group D clash.

The loss in Sarawak means the reigning Malaysian Super League (MSL) champions are struggling to make the quarter-finals of the much-cherished Malaysia Cup.

Tomorrow's penultimate group game - the LionsXII finish the group stage with a match at Kedah on Saturday - is a must-win encounter, a fact not lost on Shahfiq.

Frustrated

Speaking to The New Paper on Monday, the 21-year-old said: "I was frustrated and disappointed with my actions because with 11 men, we could have achieved a result at Sarawak.

"It was a morale booster for me to get my first international goal and to help the Under-23s get a win after three Merdeka Cup defeats.

"I will do my best to keep my cool this time against Sarawak and I'm confident of scoring and contributing to a good result on Wednesday.

"After we got just one point in our first three Malaysia Cup games, we knew every group game will be like a cup final. Sarawak are no different.

"We have to win to stay alive, and we don't want this to be our last home game of the season."

Shahfiq has let his feet do the talking since his rash dismissal. The forward grabbed his first international with a nice shimmy and finish in the 6-1 defeat by China, before scoring again to help the Under-23s beat a Thailand Selection 2-1 for third spot at the Merdeka Cup.

LionsXII coach V Sundramoorthy will hope that his young protege can keep up his scoring streak - Shahfiq also scored a free-kick against Kedah in their first Malaysia Cup game in August, while also contributing five goals in the MSL title run.

The LionsXII are third in the group on four points, three behind joint-leaders Sarawak and Perak.

Goal difference could decide which two teams advance to the last eight and Sundram said: "Shahfiq is a good player. He's got the intelligence and a classy left foot. He just needs to be more mobile and work harder.

"His return from suspension will add to our attacking impetus.

"We got to go for the win first, but it is possible that this group is decided on goal difference, so we will also try our best to score more goals."

Boost

The international week inflicted a catalogue of knocks and injuries to as many as 13 LionsXII players, although Sundram has been boosted by news that most of them are cleared to play some part on Wednesday.

But striker Khairul Nizam (hamstring and quadricep strain) is out and Shakir Hamzah is rated at 50-50 with a hamstring strain.

"Shahril (Ishak) is still not fully ready, but he should play some part," said Sundram.

"He is an important player for us and I think the team will be boosted by his presence."

Captain Shahril, who scored eight MSL goals and has one Malaysia Cup strike, aims not just to preserve his team's 13-match unbeaten streak at Jalan Besar, but also to put up a good show for the fans.

The 29-year-old said: "Sarawak will not be easy opponents because they have lost just three times in 30 games this season.

"We are the ones under pressure because we need points, but we are motivated by the fans' support. We are looking forward to a good game, and I believe with players like Shahfiq, we have enough firepower to win and stay alive."

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