Faris Ramli credits wife, targets Asian Cup goals vs. Chinese Taipei

After missing his nation's first qualifier due to injury, winger Faris Ramli is ready to make an impact when Singapore take the next steps on the road to the 2019 AFC Asian Cup this week.

At Jalan Besar Stadium, the Lions will play a behind-closed-doors friendly against Myanmar on Tuesday night before Saturday's Asian Cup second qualifying match against Chinese Taipei.

Faris, who has been in career-best form for Home United in the S.League and AFC Cup, wants to help Singapore re-find an attacking edge.

The 24-year-old has scored 11 goals and provided 12 assists at club level this season. and was part of Home United's dramatic comeback victory over Global-Cebu in last week's AFC Cup semifinal.

It's never easy to play during fasting month but the boys showed true character and desire to win the game! . We produced two outstanding performances and that is what makes me particularly proud of each and every player in the squad because no one gave us a chance at the very beginning of the AFC Cup and we responded with attitude and class. . What a game and what a beauty scored by my fellow teammates @song_uiyoung & @s.plazibat!! . Enjoy your short break TEAM and it's time for international week for some of us. �������� . Lastly, thank you to those who came down last night to cheer your lungs out for us from the first to the final whistle! You guys ROCK! ���� . #AFCCup2017 #afc #hufc2017 #yadragonsya #globalfc #fr #10 #teamwork #fightingspirit #whatabloodygame #neversaydieattitude #togetherwecan #AFCCUPZONALFINAL

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May 30, 2017 at 11:44pm PDT

"The national team have not scored that many goals recently, and we are eager to fix that," Faris told The New Paper.

"The good news is that players like [Khairul] Amri, [Khairul] Nizam, Safuwan [(Baharudin] and myself are scoring regularly in the S.League and Malaysian Premier League."

Faris has played the majority of his 30 international games as a winger, scoring four goals. While he's been given more of a free role, it is unlikely he will be granted the same leeway in coach V. Sundramoorthy's disciplined system.

"It's not easy to score as regularly at the international level," Faris said.

"It depends a lot on the quality of opponents we face, the tactical demands of our coach. As a winger, it is tougher because you have more defensive duties.

"Against Taiwan, we are definitely going for the win.

"Whether I play as a forward or as a winger, I will try my best to get goals and assists. But what matters most is not personal glory, but the three points."

Faris, who scored against Myanmar in a friendly last June to provide the first goal of Sundramoorthy's reign as head coach, gives his family, including wife Syahzanna Hamzah, much of the credit for his improved form. The couple got married in April.

"Ever since I started playing football, my parents have always been there for me," he said.

"My wife has also been incredible. She has been behind me all this while.

"Even when she cannot attend my games, she will send me a text of encouragement, which means a lot.

"These are the people who have helped me stay grounded and I feel like I am more mature now."

Both the Myanmar and Chinese Taipei matches will be 9 p.m. kickoffs due to the fasting month of Ramadan. Singapore clawed out a 0-0 draw away to Bahrain in their opening Asian Cup qualifier on March 28.