Goal joy: Faisal Halim (with skipper’s armband) celebrates with national teammates after scoring against Cambodia in a friendly match.
PETALING JAYA: Does Faisal Halim have any plans to ply his trade abroad in the new year?
Not right now as the player fondly known as Mickey, who has been a standout in the Super League for three years, wants to stay focused on raising the profile of Malaysia in the sport.
Faisal, for a start, hopes to flaunt his flair when he leads Harimau Malaya in the Asian Cup from Jan 12-Feb 10 in Doha, Qatar.
Overseas agents will surely be keeping their eyes on him as they have asked about his availability to play in foreign leagues in the past.
“This is not the time to think of enhancing my career. I want to do something special for Malaysia. After 40 years, we have qualified for the Asian Cup on merit,” he said.
Malaysia last qualified for the 1980 edition in Kuwait but they failed to clear the group stage.
“We have worked hard to get our nation to this stage again. It wasn’t easy at all and now it’s going to be tougher.
“I’m not thinking about myself. I’m thinking about ways to help the team move forward in Doha.
“We are on the right track in terms of development of the national team. I am proud and honoured to be part of this process.”
The team led by coach Kim Pan-gon flew to Doha yesterday to settle down as quickly as possible before their first game in Group E against Jordan at the Al-Janoub Stadium on Jan 15.
Faisal said their one-week training before leaving for Qatar was intense.
“The pressure was high. The intensity of the game is much higher now. We have two more weeks to get used to this,” he said.
“The boys are spirited to play in the Asian Cup.
‘‘We are there to compete, not just make up the numbers.”
Faisal is set to be a marked man with fellow winger Arif Aiman Hanapi but he’s prepared for it.
“We have to be mentally and physically ready. We have analysed the other teams too but what’s important is to do our job well. I’m ready to be marked.
“We hope to win the opening game, get the three points and keep that momentum going.”
The other teams in Malaysia’s group are Bahrain and South Korea.
