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Both selectors are troubled with absences

Bahrain have suffered three consecutive defeats in friendly matches, and played to a draw in their last two qualification meetings in Malaysia

In the match against Bahrain, Malaysia are looking to notch another win and end their guests' perfect start, and by doing so, even the point score in the top part of the table with Bahrain and Qatar. 

But this will not be an easy task as they're hosting a much more respectable opponent. In the qualifications, they scored a 2-1 win over the desperate Yemen in a home match, but lost 2-0 to Qatar away. The win over Yemen has been their only victory in the last six matches.

They are also burdened with some absences, but the association chief secretary, Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin, is optimistic ahead of this match: 

- I believe we can take this important win, which would bring us closer to a spot in the Asian Cup.

They haven't been a frequent guest there, having played in only three out of 15 Asian Cup tournaments. Last time, in 2007, when they sat at the bottom of the table with the lowest score among 16 national teams. The players who are absent include Fadhli Shas, Nik Shahrul Azim Halim, Razman Roslan, Helmi Remeli, Wan Zack Haikal Wan Nor and Safee Sali, but missing the six players doesn't seem to be a reason to complain for the selector Datuk K. Rajagopal:

- We are playing at home and we'll do whatever it takes to earn three points. Everyone is aware Bahrain are a very strong team, but we're not going to give up in advance. The skeleton of the team is still here, the captain Safiq Rahim in the midfield, Aidil Zafuan in defense and Norshahrul Idlan Talaha in the midfield.

All players in the Malaysian national team play in the domestic championship. 

Bahrain haven't managed to qualify for the Asian Cup, but are coming to Shah Alam as the favorite. They are very much aware it won't be easy, having played to a 2-2 and 0-0 draw in two qualification matches in Malaysia in 2003 and 2007. 

- We came here to win and this is all we care about. It won't be easy, I have a lot of respect for Malaysia and I know the team well. We've seen all of their previous matches and we know all of their strengths and weaknesses. But we have a strong team as well and we're looking forward to this match - the 32-year-old Bahrain selector, Englishman Anthony Hudson, said.

Bahrain has participated in last three Asian Cups. In the qualifications so far, they've notched wins over Yemen away and Qatar at home, but they're not in the best of form. They've lost last three friendly matches against Kyrgyzstan, Kuwait and Thailand last Thursday.

Also, Hudson will not have his best team available, going into the match without the captain and leading man in defense, the injured Mohamed Husain Bahzad, and the biggest star in the team, the midfielder Faouzi Aaish, who cancelled his appearance due to private matters. Another center back, Rashed Al Hooti, got injured a day before the match, and finally the back Ismail Omar will also be missing.

I think the hosts are a bit underrated in this encounter. They have played Bahrain at home twice in qualifying over the past ten years, and they remained undefeated on both occasions. Besides, Bahrain haven't been doing all that great lately. Not only that, but they are missing a lot of players, especially in defense, as three first choice players are unavailable for the game. Malaysia are also going to field a weakened side, but they regularly manage to score in their home games. They're still hoping they can qualify for the Asian Cup, and they surely won't give up easily.