Mickey: Charity Shield can ignite Selangor's Super League campaign
Faisal, better known as Mickey, said the game on Aug 8 in Johor would be the ideal platform to build momentum and test the team's readiness before facing a demanding season.
'We've been preparing for over two months. All the players are ready to play. I think we'll go there to get a positive result,' said Faisal.
'It'll be a balanced match. In football, nothing is impossible.
'We'll give our best and leave the rest to Allah – who knows, it might be our fortune.
'And I believe this is the beginning for Selangor to go all the way this season. We'll start on the right foot.
'Regardless of the outcome, even if it doesn't go our way, we must continue our fight,' said Faisal after the launch of the publicity roadshow for The Sultan of Selangor's Cup on Sept 27 at Stadium Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur.
Asked whether the Red Giants were prepared for a packed schedule this season involving both domestic and international competitions, Faisal stressed that it was the players' responsibility to bear that 'burden' as part of their job.
'In the past, we had just the Super League domestically. Then last year, we went to the ACL2 (AFC Champions League 2), so we got to feel the difference in terms of rest and long-distance travel.
'But this year, we've added the Shopee Cup, which is very challenging.
'Our first game will be in Buriram. We'll travel from Kuala Lumpur to Bangkok and then take a five-hour bus ride to Buriram. That's not easy.
'Not all players enjoy that – long travel, one day of rest, then a game, then returning and immediately having another match,' he said.
He stressed that every player in the Selangor squad, whether in the starting eleven or on the bench, must maintain high readiness levels as the opportunity to play could come at any time, and only those truly prepared could meet the challenge. — Bernama
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