Indonesia’s interim coach Yeyen Tumena couldn’t stop gushing about Malaysian striker Safawi Rasid after his team’s 2-0 loss in a pre-World Cup Group G match on Tuesday.
There’s nothing like being singled out for praise by the opposition coach and nobody can deny Safawi his moment in the sun after his two-goal man-of-the-match display.
Yeyen admitted that he is an ardent fan of the Johor Darul Ta’zim player, whom he described as “one of the best talents in the region”.
“I’ve been following Safawi since the Asian Games in Jakarta last year. He scored against South Korea and I knew then that he’s a very good player. He has an incredible left foot and is an amazing talent for Malaysia,” Yeyen said at the post-match press conference.
Yeyen wasn’t the only one mesmerised by the 22-year-old Safawi’s performance on Tuesday.
The 80,000-strong crowd at National Stadium in Bukit Jalil and the millions more watching on television were similarly dazzled by his silky skills and goal-scoring ability.
If his opening goal, off a free-kick in the 30th minute, was sublime, then his second — after robbing the ball off Yanto Basna — was clinical as he smashed a powerful shot past hapless Indonesian goalkeeper Muhammad Ridho in the 73rd minute.
He has now scored six goals for the senior team this year — the most among all the national strikers.
Still only 22-year-old, Safawi still qualifies to play for the Under-23 side but he is now undoubtedly one of the most important players in coach Tan Cheng Hoe’s senior squad.
Safawi, to his credit, preferred to play down expectations and warned of tougher days to come.
“It doesn’t matter to me who scores as long as the team win. Maybe tonight (Tuesday) was my day and we won. My teammates, coaches, officials and fans all played their part. Everyone gave us plenty of motivation,” said Safawi.
“Yes, we ended the year with a victory, but we cannot be contented. Next year, we have tough games against the UAE (away), Vietnam (home) and Thailand (away).
“We have to do better because it won’t be easy, but we have every chance to get something from those matches.”
Tuesday’s win was Malaysia’s third in the 2022 World Cup/2023 Asian Cup qualifying campaign.
Malaysia now have nine points and are second behind Vietnam (11 points), followed by Thailand (8pts), UAE (6pts but with a game in hand) and Indonesia still without a point.
If Malaysia are to get through to the final round, they will need Safawi to be at his lethal best again when the campaign resumes next March.