NST Online: Sports

Posted: 17 Jul 2011 05:16 PM PDT

Chelsea's John Obi Mikel is looking forward to visiting Malaysia again after having played here in the club's 2008 Asia Tour.

JOHN Obi Mikel reckons that Chelsea's matches during the Asia Tour will prove to be more important than playing against clubs in Europe.

Chelsea have played two friendly matches during this pre-season, beating Wycombe 3-0 before snatching a 1-0 win against just-relegated Portsmouth.

But Obi Mikel said the upcoming matches against Asian teams have got better potential of bearing fruit later on during the season proper.

"We have played a couple of friendlies against Wycombe and Portsmouth already but I think the most important friendly matches will be those during our tour of Asia, " said the 24-year-old midfielder.

"We will be in Asia for a long time. Most importantly, what the manager has been doing since he came in is to bring everyone together and bond the team.

"This is what he has been working on and I think it's paying off really well.

"It's good for team spirit to be away together. It's something (Jose) Mourinho used to do and did well, whereas the other managers, since, didn't do so much. The new manager obviously has some fresh ideas."

The Nigerian is among some of the biggest names to make the Chelsea entourage for the match against Malaysia on Thursday at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil.

Obi Mikel believes Chelsea fans in Malaysia will get a chance to watch every single player in action, thanks to the depth of quality in the squad.

"It is going to be a tough trip, but obviously if we go with the full squad, then players can have rest. We will probably not have to play all of every game, so we can come back in good condition and be ready for the start of the season, which is what the manager wants.

"What matters most is what we do on the pitch. If we can carry the bond onto the pitch, then everyone will want to play for each other and work for each other so we can succeed," Obi Mikel said, before adding jokingly that although the attention was always big in Asia with the likes of John Terry, Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba getting loads of attention, "some of us other ones can merge into the background".

Obi Mikel said he was looking forward to returning to Malaysia after Chelsea's 2008 Asia Tour and recalled the warm hospitality.

"It's a great experience and they (Malaysians) love us out there. The weather is always really hot, so we know it will be hard work. But it is great to see so many people giving us their support," Obi Mikel said.

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Football: Safiq urges focus ahead of clash

Posted: 17 Jul 2011 05:12 PM PDT

2011/07/18
Ajitpal Singh
ajitpalsingh@nst.com.my

National team captain Safiq Rahim (front) has scored three goals in four matches. Malaysia will play Singapore on Saturday.

CAPTAIN Safiq Rahim and striker Safee Sali are thrilled to have got their names on the score-sheet against an English Premier League (EPL) side.

But the duo, who scored three goals between them against Liverpool on Saturday, prefer to stay focused for Saturday's first leg, second round match of the World Cup qualifiers against Singapore.

Safiq scored from a well-taken free kick in the 42nd minute while Safee celebrated his return from a hamstring injury with a brace in the 79th and 82nd minute in Malaysia's 6-3 defeat to the 18-time EPL champions.

"I scored from a brilliant free kick ... my third goal in four matches. My free kicks are getting better and better. I hope to continue my fine form when we face Singapore," said Safiq at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil on Saturday.

"My goal was a result of a team effort. It is a dream to score a goal against a team like Liverpool but we, as a team, should forget about it as our focus should now be on the World Cup qualifiers."

Safiq said his team must build on Saturday's performance for their match against Singapore.

"We played better as a unit compared to our match against Arsenal. Everyone in the team played well but more importantly, our game did not collapse when Liverpool scored first from a penalty.

"However, we did not play a brilliant game. It is important that we keep working hard," added the midfielder.

Safee finally managed to translate his fine club form with Indonesia Super League side Pelita Jaya into two goals for Malaysia.

"I finally scored after seven months without a goal for the national team since the AFF Cup. But more importantly, I had a good 15-minute workout after coming on as a substitute today (Saturday).

"My hamstring also did not give me problems. It is a good sign. But I need to work on my fitness as I can't play a full match yet.

"My goals against Liverpool showed that I've not lost my zest and sharpness." Safee, however, said his team will need to tighten their defence and work on other aspects of the game before meeting Singapore.

"Our defenders need to work harder to get their act together. I think they should have enough time to get things right," added Safee.

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Kredit: www.nst.com.my

Ahad, 17 Julai 2011

NST Online: Sports

NST Online: Sports

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