HAVING missed the later stages of the national Under-23 side’s gold medal winning run in Vientiane last month, Amirulhadi Zainal will seek redemption when Malaysia travel to Dubai for the Asian Cup qualifier against the United Arab Emirates.
The 23-year-old Selangor midfielder could only watch frustratingly from the sidelines as his teammates etched themselves into the history books after he was handed a three-match ban.
Amirulhadi had cut a forlorn figure in the stands after he was informed of his ban just before the deciding group clash against Thailand.
Till this day, he is still wondering what he did wrong despite playing only a limited role in the fracas which followed the group match against Vietnam.
“I was the player hit with the longest ban and to make it worse, I was only told about it just before the Thailand match. The coach had named me in the starting list and 30 minutes before the game, we received notification that I was suspended for three matches.
“I just felt like the world was crashing down on me because it meant my Sea Games was over even if we made it to the semi-finals, which we did.
“I was so down and frustrated after that but the next morning, after talking to my teammates, I resolved not to let it affect me. I pledged to give the team my full support and help them in anyway I could.
“I was so happy the team beat Thailand and then Laos to make the final. I spoke to (skipper) Aidil (Zafuan Radzak) and pleaded with him to please win the gold medal so that I have something to take home,” said Amirulhadi yesterday.
Following the 3-1 defeat to Vietnam, striker Zaquan Adha Radzak was banned for two games while goalkeeper Farizal Marlias sat out one match.
Amirulhadi appeared as a substitute in the 4-0 win over Cambodia in the next match but little did he know that it would be his final contribution to the team.
“I don’t know what I did to deserve that. There was no reason given for the suspension.
“It was not me who threw a bottle into the pitch. It hurt that I could not help the team but I still trained normally.
“I cheered them on from the sidelines as I knew the team had it in them to win gold.
“Now I’m even more determined to play and if the coach fields me against UAE, he will get the best from me.
“I want to make up for missing out on the final although nothing can ever compensate for that,” he added.
Amirulhadi had his wish to return with a gold medal granted when Malaysia edged Vietnam 1-0 in the final to end the country’s 20-year wait for the Sea Games football title. — NST
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