Wait for me: Azam Azmi Murad (right) says his desire to come back is stronger after being in the stands for the matches against Singapore and Thailand. — AFP
PETALING JAYA: After sitting out the last two games, rightback Azam Azmi Murad is itching to get back to action, and he hopes today will be the day.
Malaysia take on Thailand in the AFF Mitsubishi Cup semi-final second-leg match at the Thammasat Stadium in Pathum Thani today.
“I will be honest, I didn’t like sitting in the stands and watching my mates play. I wanted to be a part of it. So, it feels good to be back, and if given a chance to play in Bangkok, I will do my best,” said Azam.
The 21-year-old was sent off against Vietnam in their Group B game in Hanoi two weeks ago. Azam got entangled with Doan Van Hau in the 62nd minute and as he attempted to get back up he accidentally kicked the opponent. Referee Ryuji Sato adjudged it as a foul and gave Azam a red card and a penalty.
The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) fought the decision, but in return, the player was fined US$1,000 (RM4,397.47) and given a two-match ban by the Asian Football Federation (AFF).
The fact that he had to sit out the last group game against Singapore (Malaysia won 4-1) and the first-leg against Thailand (Malaysia won 1-0) only fuelled Azam’s desire to come back stronger.
“The form we are in is excellent. So I am spirited to help this team continue this momentum and hopefully get to the final,” said the Terengganu boy.
“As for the suspension, I have accepted it as fate. So I will move on from this episode. Will it change my game? I do not think so. My game will be spirited as usual and I’m glad I got the team’s backing after that incident.”
And when asked who he wants to face if Malaysia gets to the final, Azam said, “I want Vietnam. It would be nice to exact revenge against them”.
Meanwhile, his teammate and centreback Sharul Nazeem Zulphakar is glad to have Azam back but knows coach Kim Pan-gon would make the final decision on the first eleven.
“It is nice to have him back, and if he plays, he will do what we have been doing all this while, which is to stay focused defensively,” said the 23-year-old.
“We do not know how the game will be in Thailand, but the focus is vital. We have to be resolute for 90 minutes.
“In the first-leg, our fatigue level was 10/10. We just defended. I am pretty tired, but for Malaysia, I will fight till the end.
“In Thammasat, we won’t defend 90 minutes, we will conjure up some attacks. The advantage is on us, but we hope to break their defence again.”
