KUALA LUMPUR: After shining in the Bangladesh Hockey League with 24 goals from 12 matches for Mohammedan Sporting Club, Faizal Saari is in great form for the Sultan Azlan Shah (SAS) Cup in Ipoh from May 4-11.
Faizal, 33, who was the second highest scorer in the Bangladesh League, said he was thrilled with his performance in Dhaka.
"This is the first time I have scored so many goals in a foreign league, and I'm all fired up for the SAS Cup.
"I'm the most senior striker in the national team and I hope to be a good example to my younger teammates," said Faizal, who has 285 international caps.
Faizal has made his mark in the SAS Cup, having emerged as the joint top scorer with India's Rupinder Pal Singh with six goals in the 2013 edition.
Faizal said he hopes to combine well with forwards Azrai Aizad Abu Kamal, Akhimullah Anuar Esook in the SAS Cup.
Faizal's younger brother, Fitri, is expected to marshall the midfield with Nik Aiman Nik Rozemi and Shello Silverius.
National coach Sarjit Singh will name the final 18 players from the current 30-man training squad
after a friendly against world No. 10 New Zealand in Ipoh on May 1.
Sarjit has not set any target for the SAS Cup, but Faizal said his personal target is to help world No 13 Malaysia reach the final.
