In our hearts: The Terengganu players pose with Akhyar Rashid’s jersey before a training session. — Terengganu FC
PETALING JAYA: Akhyar Rashid, who was assaulted by two men in a robbery last week, will not be in the line-up - but he will still loom large when Terengganu take on Perak in their Super League opener today.
Before the kick-off at the Sultan Mizan Stadium today, the club will hold a special prayer for Akhyar, and also for Selangor’s Faisal Halim, who was the victim of an acid attack in Damansara on May 5.
Faisal, who also played for Terengganu in 2021, is in a hospital in Shah Alam while Akhyar is recuperating at home.
Terengganu coach Tomislav Steinbruckner said his boys are ready for their first Super League match despite what happened to their teammate.
“Winning this game is crucial. We want to start the season with three points. We have to do it on our home ground and also for Aky (Akhyar),’’ said Steinbruckner.
‘‘Not just Aky, but also for Mickey (as Faisal is called) who went through a harrowing episode.”
“Aky is indeed important to us but we cannot go back to the past. I’ve prepared this team without him and we will go forward. The spirit shown by the boys at this time is good although it is not perfect because Aky is not with us.
“We want to beat Perak and we have to be professional. For sure, we are vigilant after what happened to Aky and Mickey.
“We do not know what’s going to happen but we have our professional duty, which is to play football.’’
National winger Akhyar, who is on loan from Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) was robbed at his residence in Kuala Terengganu on May 2.
He was assaulted by two men and had to be admitted to the hospital for head and hand injuries.
Steinbruckner said Akhyar’s absence would be felt but it is time to look forward.
Asked about the dressing room situation, Steinbruckner admitted that morale was down in their last friendly encounter against Kelantan but things have changed as Akhyar is getting better.
It is learnt the 25-year-old player could be available for the second league game against Penang at the City Stadium in George Town on May 19.
“In our last friendly game against Kelantan, Aky wasn’t with us and it was also the first friendly he missed. You could see the boys were a little bothered and the dressing room was a little cold. But things are much better now after we got to know that he is getting better.
“We always communicate with the police and authorities on what needs to be done. I believe the players feel secure right now.”
