Norshahrul Idlan Talaha scored three goals for Malaysia’s in the Sea Games last year.
Due to the injury-enforced absence of Zaquan Adha Radzak, the burden of getting the goals lies heavily with the Kelantan striker, who scored three goals in Malaysia's successful Sea Games campaign last year.
Malaysia need to pile up the goals against the little-known Central Asians if K. Rajagobal's side are to have a chance of advancing to the last-16 as one of the best four third-placed teams.
"I'm honoured to have won the best player award recently and it will serve as an inspiration to do better in the future," said Norshahrul, who scored the equaliser in Kelantan's 2-1 win over Negri Sembilan in the Malaysia Cup final on Oct 30.
"But the challenge here is far more difficult and I realise there is great hope for us to do well here.
"So my teammates and I will try to do our best and move on to the next round."
Norshahrul, who is likely to partner Ahmad Fakri Saarani in attack today, is keen to get straight into action and cannot wait to take on Kyrgysztan.
"As a striker, my main job is to score goals and that is all that makes a forward happy. We will try to get as many as we can even if they all play behind the ball," said Norshahrul, who expects today's opponents to be defensively minded.
A win against Kyrgysztan will set Malaysia up nicely for tougher encounters against Japan on Wednesday and hosts China on Saturday.
A point off either of the two East Asian giants coupled with an opening-day win should guarantee Malaysia a place in the knockout stage
Read more:NST
Malaysia need to pile up the goals against the little-known Central Asians if K. Rajagobal's side are to have a chance of advancing to the last-16 as one of the best four third-placed teams.
"I'm honoured to have won the best player award recently and it will serve as an inspiration to do better in the future," said Norshahrul, who scored the equaliser in Kelantan's 2-1 win over Negri Sembilan in the Malaysia Cup final on Oct 30.
"But the challenge here is far more difficult and I realise there is great hope for us to do well here.
"So my teammates and I will try to do our best and move on to the next round."
Norshahrul, who is likely to partner Ahmad Fakri Saarani in attack today, is keen to get straight into action and cannot wait to take on Kyrgysztan.
"As a striker, my main job is to score goals and that is all that makes a forward happy. We will try to get as many as we can even if they all play behind the ball," said Norshahrul, who expects today's opponents to be defensively minded.
A win against Kyrgysztan will set Malaysia up nicely for tougher encounters against Japan on Wednesday and hosts China on Saturday.
A point off either of the two East Asian giants coupled with an opening-day win should guarantee Malaysia a place in the knockout stage
Read more:NST
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