KUALA LUMPUR: Syahmi Safari is disappointed that he will not be playing a role when Malaysia play Vietnam in the first leg of the AFF Cup final at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil on Tuesday.
The midfielder, who scored the opening goal, almost turned from hero to villain when the referee awarded a penalty to Thailand after he handled the ball in stoppage time of the semi-final return leg in Bangkok on Wednesday.
Syahmi was subsequently handed his second yellow, but luckily, Thailand failed to score from the penalty spot.
“Yes, I will be suspended but relieved as my mistake against Thailand did not lead to Malaysia’s exit.
“It is okay... I will cheer my teammates in the final,” said the 20-year-old.
Syahmi is the only player in the national team who has scored a goal in the AFF Cup, apart from Norshahrul Idlan Talaha and Zaquan Adha Radzak.
Norshahrul has netted five, two more than Zaquan.