Heinous crime: Faisal pictured in the aftermath of the attack.
PETALING JAYA: In January this year, Faisal Halim had the world at his feet after scoring an audacious goal against mighty South Korea as Malaysia held the competition favourites to a 2-2 draw at the Asian Cup in Doha.
It was a goal worthy of the Puskas award, given to the world’s best.
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Now, the nippy winger, nicknamed Mickey by his teammates and fans, just wants to get back on his feet.
An acid attack on Sunday has left him with severe injuries, but Faisal is a fighter and things are looking positive.
Selangor Football Association deputy president Datuk Seri Shahril Mokhtar, who visited the national team and Selangor player in the hospital yesterday, said Faisal was eating normally again.
Shahril had accompanied Raja Muda of Selangor Tengku Amir Shah Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah to visit Faisal, who was attacked by two men in Petaling Jaya.
Faisal, who suffered fourth-degree burns on his face, neck, arms and body after he was splashed with sulphuric acid, will be receiving skin allograft (skin patch) treatment soon.
The skin patch is imported from Belgium and can cost up to RM30,000, said Shahril.
“According to the surgeon, the procedure will probably take place this week. This skin allograft is considered the highest standard for treating burn wounds in patients who do not have enough skin to cover the burns on the body,” he added.
“When we visited Faisal with the Crown Prince, he was able to eat. The good thing is that he is eager to start basic football training exercises. This just shows his character as a person,” said Shahril.
“I’m proud of him because it shows his strong will, but we know there will be stages to his recovery.
“He has undergone two surgeries so far and there will be a few more down the line on his road to recovery. But it’s looking really positive.
“Tuanku (Tengku Amir Shah) assured me that there is no need to worry as the palace will bear all the medical costs,” he added.
