KUALA LUMPUR – Reaching 300 international goals has given Speedy Tigers forward Faizal Saari immense satisfaction, but the veteran is already looking beyond the personal milestone towards a bigger prize — Asian Games gold and a ticket to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
The 35-year-old admitted he never imagined reaching such a landmark in his international career, but said the achievement had given him renewed motivation as Malaysia prepare for their Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games semi-final against South Korea on Thursday.
Faizal scored his 300th international goal when he converted a field goal in the 40th minute of Malaysia’s 5-0 win over China in their final Group B match on Monday.
The goal took his international tally to 300 from 333 appearances, further underlining his importance to the national side’s attack over a career spanning more than a decade.
“Regarding the 300 goals, it was beyond my imagination that I would reach this stage. I really did not expect it to happen, and it gives me a great sense of satisfaction as a player,” Faizal told Scoop when contacted.
“To reach 300 goals for the national team is something very special for me. It is a personal achievement, but at the same time, I know I could not have reached this milestone without my teammates, coaches and everyone who has supported me throughout my career.
“Now, I hope we can continue this momentum and winning rhythm because the most important thing is what we can achieve as a team.
“We have come this far and there are only two matches left between us and the gold medal. So, I want to help the team reach the final first and then fight for the gold.”
Malaysia have been among the standout teams in the tournament, finishing top of Group B with a perfect record after winning all five matches, including an impressive 5-4 victory over former champions Pakistan.
The Speedy Tigers will now face South Korea in the semi-finals, with victory taking them one step closer to their first Asian Games gold medal and an automatic qualification ticket to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Faizal knows the semi-final will demand an even higher level from Malaysia despite their impressive run in the group stage.
“For the semi-final, I think we need to give even more and raise our level. We cannot just rely on what we have done in the group stage because every match from now on is different,” he said.
“We have to give our best, stay focused from the first minute until the final whistle and make sure we take our chances.
“South Korea are a strong team and they will also be fighting for a place in the final, so we have to be ready for a tough match. Hopefully, we can perform at our best and see what happens on Thursday.
“My target is definitely to reach the final and win gold. That is what I want, and that is what the whole team wants.”
Faizal is also within touching distance of the tournament’s leading scorers, sitting two goals behind Pakistan’s Sufiyan Khan, who has 11 goals.
However, the veteran forward insists the individual scoring charts are secondary to Malaysia’s ultimate objective in Aichi-Nagoya.
The Speedy Tigers are bidding to improve on Malaysia’s best-ever Asian Games finishes of silver at Guangzhou 2010 and Palembang-Jakarta 2018.
A gold medal would also end Malaysia’s long wait for an Olympic return, with the national men’s hockey team last appearing at the Games in Sydney in 2000. — September 29, 2026