War Cries Part 2

Akmal Issues Rallying Call

KUALA LUMPUR – Striker Akmal Rizal Rakhli has called on his Malaysia teammates to raise their game on Saturday against Uzbekistan and get a result that would restore faith in Norizan Bakar’s side after their 5-1 defeat to China.

The Selangor forward admits that the mood in the Malaysia camp has been low since their heavy loss to the Chinese in the Group C opener on Tuesday.

“Our team morale is now a bit down but we have to buck up and face our second game and prove to our fans and our country that we are here to fight,” said the 25-year-old.

“If we keep thinking about our 5-1 loss to China, we will find it very difficult to face Uzbekistan and might even lose more heavily against them.

“Whatever happens, we have to face Uzbekistan and we have to prove that we are not the type of team that the Malaysian media described so negatively in the first couple of days after the loss.

“Personally speaking, I want to play and I want to score, but most of all, I want to ensure that we don’t lose our next game.”

Akmal is not expecting an easy ride against an Uzbek side still smarting from a 2-1 defeat to Iran on Wednesday.

“It will be a tough game for us because Uzbekistan are a good team. They play a different style of game which is more individual and in terms of technique, they are better than China.

“Whatever happens, we have to face them and perform at our very, very best to fight them.

“The most important thing is that we must regroup as a team and play as a unit to beat them.”
Taken from AFC Asian Cup Website