Out: The suspended Herold Goulon will miss the Deer’s quarter-final second leg match against Selangor.
PETALING JAYA: Negri Sembilan centreback Nasrullah Haniff Johan will be banking on home support and sheer fighting spirit to overcome a 2-0 deficit in their Malaysia Cup second-leg quarter-final match against Selangor.
The Deer face a massive task and the 31-year-old Nasrullah is hoping for the right atmosphere at their Tuanku Abdul Rahman Stadium in Paroi today to spark a comeback.
And he has his work cut out for him as key player and fellow centreback Herold Goulon is out due to suspension.
Nasrullah hopes to keep Selangor at bay together with Ahmad Khuzaimi Piee and Annas Rahmat.
And, of course, he hopes the fans would inspire the team to give their all and qualify for the semi-finals.
There will be no away-goal rules so it would be a very open game.
“We have another 90 minutes to get to the next stage. It would be great if the fans throng the stadium because they would give us the spirit to bounce back and erase the 0-2 deficit,” said Nasrullah.
“The first leg was not our usual game as we were thinking about the second-leg in Paroi. That’s why we defended a lot, and that situation gave Selangor the advantage in the first leg.”
Goals from Brazilian striker Herlison Caion and Aliff Haiqal Lau helped Selangor sink the Deer and to pile on the misery, Goulon was sent off in the 51st minute.
When asked about Goulon’s absence, Nasrullah admitted it would be quite tough on the team.
“We just have to do our best. Khuzaimi, Annas and I will give our all for the game and the fans in the stands.”
