By Sofia Nasir
SHAH ALAM, Aug 3 — Selangor FC sensational winger Faisal Halim has been included in the matchday squad for the club’s must-win FA Cup semi-final second leg fixture against Terengganu FC at the MBPJ Stadium tonight.
This comes three months after he was sidelined due to injury as a result of an acid attack in May.
Selangor FC chief executive officer Johan Kamal Hamidon confirmed Faisal’s return to the squad, saying he is now fully recovered from his injuries.
He said the national footballer will be wearing a custom-made face mask to ensure his skin does not experience friction, thereby preventing any new injury.
“Faisal has been reinstated as a player for tonight's match, but it is up to the coach to decide whether to include him in the starting lineup or keep him on the bench.
“The mask that Faisal will wear is a special face mask made from carbon fibre and is custom-made at a specialist hospital, to protect his skin from friction and potential bleeding,” he said when contacted.
Johan said Faisal has shown a desire to return to action for several weeks, adding that the latter has even been willing to intensify his own fitness training.
He also expressed hope that Faisal's appearance in tonight's match will provide an additional boost to the entire team, particularly Selangor FC supporters.
“We aim to win tonight because it is an important match. I believe Faisal’s presence will provide an additional incentive to the entire team,” he said.
Later, in the official lineup, it was confirmed that Faisal will be starting from the bench.
On May 5, Faisal, also known as Mickey, was reported to have been injured by an acid attack perpetrated by an unknown individual at a shopping mall in Petaling Jaya, resulting in fourth-degree burns.
In the first leg of the FA Cup semi-final, Terengganu FC defeated the Red Giants 3-2.
Meanwhile, Bernama reported later that Faisal made an appearance in the team's warm-up session ahead of the second leg tie.
Upon entering the field with the team, the 26-year-old key player of the Harimau Malaya squad prostrated at the edge of the field while receiving cheers and applause from the thousands of spectators filling the MBPJ Stadium.
