PETALING JAYA: The Super League’s top two teams go head-to-head tomorrow as Selangor take on Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) but one player that won’t get the chance to take to the field is Selangor’s Noor Al-Rawabdeh.
The Jordanian midfielder, who is out for an extended period of time after picking up an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in his right knee during the Red Giant’s clash against Police last week, has come to terms with his injury and recovery period.
The doctor had given Al-Rawabdeh nine months for his injury to heal and for him to return to the field but the 27-year-old wants to be back sooner than that.
“I have accepted the injury and the recovery but I hope it won’t take nine months, I really hope it is less,” he said after Selangor’s 2-1 win over Korean side Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors in the AFC Champions League Two (ACL 2).
“I will try my best to recover and come back to the team before nine months.”
As a football player, there are bound to be injuries picked up throughout one’s career but Al-Rawabdeh said this has been his worst injury so far.
“I have had a lot of injuries but this is by far the worst one. I hope to fight back and with the team’s support, I will be back,” he said.
“They are like my family. And also the supporters, whether it is in Malaysia or in Jordan, the support motivates me to come back.”
For the clash tomorrow, the Southern Tigers are coming to the match after suffering their first loss in the AFC Champions League Elite (ACLE) after a 3-1 defeat to South Korean side Gwangju on Tuesday.
JDT are currently leading the Super League with 31 points while Selangor are not far behind in second with 26 points.