Faisal Halim’s on-pitch return will be sooner than expected

Selangor FC player to meet coaching team tomorrow to plan light training regimen

Faisal Halim is 95% ready for a return to the football pitch, his father has been reported as saying. – Abdul Razak Latif/Scoop pic, July 2, 2024

KUALA LUMPUR – Selangor FC stalwart Faisal Halim is expected to meet his coaching team tomorrow to discuss his light training programmes, having been out of action for two months due to the acid attack.

Speaking to Scoop, Selangor head coach Nidzam Jamil said the programme to be designed by the coaching team would be based on Faisal’s current fitness and physical condition.

There were recent reports citing Faisal’s father, Abdul Halim Saad, saying that the winger was 95% ready for an on-pitch return after successfully completing several sessions of physiotherapy.

“Faisal will be reporting to the club tomorrow, and the coaching team and I will design some specific light training programmes after discussing with him.

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Selangor head coach Nidzam Jamil (pic) has said the light training for Faisal will be based on his current fitness and physical condition. – Abdul Razak Latif/Scoop file pic, July 2, 2024

“The programmes will be based on what he can do now, considering his recent rehabilitation sessions. For sure, the programmes will not involve him running or playing football in training sessions.

“Instead, we will focus more on light jogging sessions and some light touches with the ball. It’s great news for the team as a whole, and we are excited to see him at the training ground with the team,” said Nidzam when contacted.

On May 5, the 26-year-old winger was attacked while with his family at a Petaling Jaya shopping centre.

Faisal suffered fourth-degree burns on several parts of his body, necessitating intensive care.

Following multiple surgeries and a skin transplant using skin imported from Belgium at a hospital in Shah Alam, Faisal was stabilised and subsequently discharged.

He is currently in the early stages of recovery and undergoing sports rehabilitation.

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Faisal has been a stalwart for Selangor FC since his transfer from Terengganu FC last year. – Abdul Razak Latif/Scoop file pic, July 2, 2024

Faisal joined the Red Giants from Terengganu FC last year and scored 12 goals in 28 appearances across all competitions last season.

Selangor currently rank second in the Super League table with nine points from four games, having played only three matches after withdrawing from the Charity Shield, resulting in a walkover win and three points for Johor Darul Ta’zim FC. – July 2, 2024