No difficulties playing new role with Harimau Malaya: Dos Santos

JOHOR BARU – Malaysia’s new naturalised player Endrick Dos Santos did not face any difficulty in adapting to Harimau Malaya’s playing style despite being given a different role. 

The Brazilian-born, who made his debut with the national team in Malaysia’s 1-0 victory over Turkmenistan in a Tier 1 international friendly match last Thursday, said he felt comfortable even though head coach Kim Pan-gon played him deep in the midfield position. 

Playing deep in the centre is seen to limit his contribution to Pan-gon’s squad’s attack, but the Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) player who has already scored three goals in the Super League this season so far, said his presence is to balance the strength in midfield and help the team to be efficient. 

“I don’t feel disappointed I didn’t get to score goals in my debut. Of course, I played a little bit deep (against Turkmenistan) but I’m comfortable – I’ve played many times in this position. 

“For me doesn’t matter who scores and assists because the most important is to win. So I don’t come here and think to (only) score goals, I come to help. I’m happy to debut with the national team; there is room for improvement and I think we can be better,” he told reporters recently.  

At JDT, Dos Santos is seen to be more active in helping the attacking department move the ball forward thus giving him space to get his name on the scoresheet as well as making assists. 

However, he stressed that what is important during the national team training session is to form a good understanding. All players are building good communication to ensure the squad achieves the set objectives before the Hong Kong clash next Tuesday. 

“We have a short time to know each other but we are confident that we have a very good team, we have good relationships inside with the coach, staff and players, and we come here to win both games (Turkmenistan and Hong Kong),” said the 28-year-old player. 

Malaysia are set to lock horns with Hong Kong in another Tier 1 international friendly at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium in Iskandar Puteri and are hoping for JDT’s home ground luck to clinch a second consecutive win after the Turkmenistan clash at the same venue. – Bernama, March 25, 2023