NATIONAL coach Dollah Salleh may have to reshuffle his defence in the AFF Cup final, first leg against Thailand in Bangkok tomorrow following injury to captain Shukor Adan.
The 35-year-old picked up a sore back in the final minutes of the 4-2 win over Vietnam in last week’s semi-final, return leg in Hanoi.
“Shukor received a hard knock against Vietnam. He has been complaining of back pain for the last four days,” said Dollah at SCG Muangthong United Stadium in Bangkok yesterday.
“He, however, still trains and goes through the drills. If he does not show improvement we many send him for treatment here.”
Dollah admitted that Shukor’s possible absence will affect his team ahead of the final.
“Our defence will lose his leadership qualities if he does not play. Furthermore, he organises our defence well during matches.
“We still have Muslim Ahmad and Afif Amirudin as options for Shukor in the centre-back position with Fadhli Shas.”
Shukor said the back strain has been bugging him in training.
“I am worried as the pain has been there for four days. I will see a doctor if the pain persists.
“We have reached this far and I really want to play. As a national player, I am willing to play if the injury is not serious,” said Shukor.
Dollah disclosed that his team will not be defensive tomorrow.
“We are not here to play defensive. My team want to score and get a good lead before the return leg,” said the 51-year-old.
Dollah singled out winger Kroekrit Thawikan, attacking midfielder Chanathip Songkrasin and striker Adisak Kraisorn as Thailand’s most dangerous players.
“Chanathip plays like Lionel Messi. It is not easy to mark him while Kroekrit is tricky with his movements and is now probably confident after netting two goals against the Philippines in the semi-final, return leg.
“Adisak does not miss many chances like he showed when he netted two goals against us in the group stage,” Dollah added.
In training yesterday, Dollah tried out several strategies using the same players that played in Hanoi.
Meanwhile, FA of Malaysia general-secretary Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin said Malaysian fans have snapped up 1,500 of the 2,500 allocated tickets for the game at Rajamangala Stadium tomorrow.
“We have returned the left over tickets to the Thai FA,” said Hamidin.