KUALA LUMPUR: National striker Norshahrul Idlan Talaha is hungry for more goals after netting in Malaysia’s 1-0 win over Cambodia in Thursday’s AFF Cup match in Phnom Penh.
Norshahrul, a member of Malaysia’s 2010 winning team, made his fifth AFF Cup appearance memorable with a superb header in the first half to take his overall tally in the competition since making his debut eight years ago to five goals.
Malaysia will host Laos in their second Group A match at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil. A win will put Malaysia on the right path to qualifying for the semi-finals.
Norshahrul, also known as Mat Yo, is in the mood to lead Malaysia to glory and he believes things will get better against Laos after a nervy start on Thursday.
"First of all, I would like to thank the coach for including me for the AFF Cup. Of course, I want to score more goals, but it is not my top priority.
“It does not matter whether I score as long we win matches. I believe we will put up a better show against Laos,” said Norshahrul after the match.
Coach Cheng Hoe said it is never easy in opening matches.
“We missed a lot of chances today. It does not matter as we took three points.
"It was also not easy playing on a synthetic surface (at the National Olympic Stadium in Phnom Penh). Grass (at Bukit jalil) should favour our style of play better," said Cheng Hoe.