AUSTRALIAN-born Brendan Gan believes he has something to take to the table of the national football team.
The 31-year-old feels that he is in good form aftee helping his Super League team, Perak, finish runners-up to Kedah in this season’s Malaysia Cup.
Brendan’s fine performance for Perak has earned him a national call-up after a three-year-lapse due to an anterior cruciate ligament injury (tear of a knee ligament) while on international duty.
Brendan, who previously played for Sabah and Kelantan, was among the six Perak players called up as part of the 27-man national team for the pre-World Cup/Asian Cup second round qualifications.
“I think everybody has something to bring to the table and that’s why coach Tan (Cheng Hoe) has called these guys up.
“I hope I have qualities that will suit the coach’s tactics.”
Brendan, who used to play for Sydney FC said he is aware he will have to fight for his place in the team after having been away for some time due to the injury that has even made him reevaluate his football career.
“There were thoughts that this could be the end of my career. Anyone going through an injury like that (ACL) would have thought the same. But I got a great group around me, friends, family and a good surgeon,” he said.
“It’s about taking those steps one at a time and focus on the small little wins you can have. To be back at Perak and playing again, it was an amazing feeling. To be here (national training) is a big bonus for me.”
Brendan’s Perak teammates attendning national training are Shahrul Saad, Shahrel Fikri Fauzi, Hafizul Hakim Khairul Nizam Jothy, J. Partiban and Nazirul Naim Hashim.