Malaysian skipper Shukor Adan will most likely be ruled out of the first leg of their AFF Suzuki Cup final clash Thailand, after picking up an injury in their win over Vietnam last week.
The veteran defender has reportedly been complaining of back ache over the past few days, leaving Dollah Salleh with a massive defensive headache, ahead of the pivotal tie against Thailand on Wednesday night.
“Shukor received a hard knock against Vietnam. He has been complaining of back pain for the last four days,” said Dollah told New Straits Times.
“He, however, still trains and goes through the drills. If he does not show improvement we many send him for treatment here.”
Shukor has been a revelation throughout the Suzuki Cup, and his absence was sorely felt by Malaysia in the first leg of the semi final clash against Vietnam recently, where Dollah’s men suffered a 2-1 defeat. But Shukor was back in the second leg, and the Malayan Tigers went on to win the game 4-1, with the 35 year-old putting himself on the score sheet as well.
“Our defence will lose his leadership qualities if he does not play. Furthermore, he organises our defence well during matches. We still have Muslim Ahmad and Afif Amirudin as options for Shukor in the centre-back position with Fadhli Shas,” Dollah added.
The first leg will kick off at the Rajamangala Stadium on Wednesday night, with the second leg scheduled to take place at the Bukit Jalil Stadium, three days later.
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