Latest news from Jakarta: “It’s going to be hard…but I can’t wait.” – Noh Alam Shah

Contributed by Antony Sutton/Jakarta Casual in Jakarta

Jakarta, Tuesday, December 9, 2008 – With less than 6 hours to the big match that will determine whether Singapore or host Indonesia finishes top of Group A at the 2008 ASEAN Football Championship, Striker Noh Alam Shah, also known as NAS, is looking relaxed.

With his mop of unruly short coloured hair he sat down next to me in the coffee shop of the player's hotel in Jakarta after enjoying some time in the pool. I asked Alam if he was happy to have started against Myanmar. He broke into a grin.

“Yes of course. Everyone loves to play but also I feel bad for Aleks (Duric). We have lost a few players to injuries but we have to get on with it.”

Alam had come on for the last 25 minutes or so against Cambodia in the first AFF Suzuki Cup group game and had looked impressive, scoring one goal and hitting the post. I told him he'd looked like he'd been having fun. Again the grin.

“Whenever I play football I'm having fun. With my suspension and injury I've missed so much this year.”

In fact NAS hasn't completed 90 minutes since September when he was sidelined so there are doubts about his fitness and he freely admits he is still not ´fully' fit. Maybe not but the fire still burns in his belly and while he may play with a smile on his face the fire still burns brightly in his belly.

After being on the receiving end of one challenge against Myanmar which saw him land unceremoniously on the turf the ref signaled play on. Before dropping back NAS made it clear what he thought of the official with a well worn phrase that could be heard up in the stands!

Next up is host Indonesia and he is really looking forward to this one.

“I know many of the Indonesian players, players like Bambang I have played against since youth teams, Elie Aiboy was in Selangor. It's going to be hard especially with Indonesia's support but I can't wait.”