Akhyar claims that his enthusiasm for playing football has not diminished

PETALING JAYA: Even though Akhyar Rashid was the victim of a robbery, the Terengganu star is optimistic that he would fully recover from the experience.

Following two weeks off to heal from his injuries, the 25-year-old resumed training at Gong Badak on Tuesday. He remarked that his desire to perform well on the pitch has never diminished.

This season, the national player—who is on loan from Johor Darul Ta’zim—admited that he was eager to play for his new squad.

“After taking nearly two weeks off, I have resumed light training with my teammates.

With the sutures out, I should be totally healed in three days and able to wear football boots. I still have the same desire to support the Terengganu team; I’ve just had some trauma as a result of the event. “Insya Allah, I want to move past the situation as quickly as possible, with the help and prayers of my family, teammates, management, and all of the nation’s football fans.

“If the team decides to field me for this Sunday’s Super League second match against Penang, I will be prepared to play. But Tomislav Steinbruckner, the head coach, gets to make that decision.

“I understand the coaching staff has plans for me, so I want to focus on training first and make sure I’m fully fit in addition to regaining my confidence,” he added. “If I can’t play, I will be sad.”

On May 2, robbers attacked Akhyar outside his private condominium in Kuala Terengganu. He consequently required two stitches in his leg and four in his head. Almost RM5,000 was also lost by him in the regrettable incident. In less than a week, Akhyar was not the only player targeted for attacks; on May 5, Safiq Rahim’s car window was smashed, and on May 5, Faisal Halim was doused with acid in Petaling Jaya.