Malaysia midfielder Safiq Rahim reckons his nation's road to the 2014 AFF Suzuki Cup final is similar to their 2010 title-winning run and is ready to do it all over again.
The Johor Darul Takzim midfielder has been in sensational form, scoring four goals -- three coming from the spot -- and is currently the joint top scorer of the tournament alongside Vietnam's Le Cong Vinh.
After a sensational 4-2 victory in their semi-final second leg against Vietnam, Harimau Malaya qualified for the final where they will take on hot favourites Thailand over two legs on Dec. 17 and 20.
During that game, Safiq opened the scoring in the opening minutes from the spot, but despite scoring on his first attempt, the midfielder had to retake his penalty-kick after the referee blew for infringement.
As reported by The Star, Safiq said: "I just composed myself for the second attempt. I knew we needed an early goal...and there was pressure, but I just made sure that my second attempt was much sharper than earlier the one,"
Safiq also lauded his teammates for sticking to coach Dollah Salleh's tactical plan of playing the ball down the middle and exposing Vietnam's frail central defence and it paid off for the visitors who stunned the My Dinh Stadium crowd into complete silence.
"We played according to the coach's game plan...everyone did well and were on the same page during the match and that was the reason we won," added the midfielder.
While many Malaysian fans are still rubbing their eyes at their nation's successful run to the final, Safiq sees a lot of similarities between this campaign and the one back in 2010 where they also had a bad start in the group stages, only to emerge champions for the first time in Malaysian history.
"The team was much younger in 2010 when we won the biennial competition.
"This time, we are under more pressure to deliver the title. But it surely looks like 2010 all over again...we will meet the overwhelming favourites in the final,
"We have also gained invaluable experience since that win and expectations are, naturally, higher on us to deliver this time."
Dollah's men will take on Thailand at the Rajamangala Stadium on Dec. 17 before going back to Kuala Lumpur where they will hosts Kiatisuk Senamuang's youngsters to decide which country will lift the 2014 ASEAN crown as the best team in the region.