Rajagobal wants Harimau to show no fear
Malaysia coach K. Rajagobal has called on his players to show no fear when they take on giants Qatar in their opening 2015 AFC Asian Cup qualifier next Wednesday.
By FOX SPORTS staff
Harimau Malaya were handed a tricky route to the 2015 edition after being drawn in Group D alongside Qatar, Bahrain and Yemen.
They kick off their qualifying campaign next Wednesday with what is arguably their toughest test - an away game against the 2011 quarter-finalists in Doha, but while Rajagobal admits his side are the weakest of the lot, he wants them to show no fear against their opponents.
"We have to accept that Qatar, Bahrain and Yemen are a class above," he said, according to the New Straits Times. "This is my honest opinion as we are not on par with them.
"However, I need my players to be positive and confident as we cannot play Qatar with a losing attitude. It is important for them to use this opportunity as we do not often play tough opponents.
"We must be fearless and play with confidence to match Qatar. We may not have a good record against Middle East teams but it does not mean we are incapable of making an impact in Doha."
Malaysia will have to do without a host of first-team regulars, including strikers Safee Sali and Norshahrul Idlan Talaha, wingers S. Kunanlan and Wan Zack Haikal, and midfielders K. Gurusamy and Amar Rohidan, but Rajagobal is staying positive and hopes this will allow his fringe players to step up and prove their worth.
"We have so many regulars out and, as a coach, this is a new situation for me," he added.
"But this is a perfect chance for others to make an impression."
Harimau Malaya will warm up for next week's qualifier with a friendly against Iraq on Friday.