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Lok, Hazwan look to revive Malaysia scoring fortunes for AFF Cup

Avoiding another sub-standard goal return in the group stages will be one of Malaysia's main objectives when they begin their AFF Suzuki Cup campaign against Cambodia on Sunday.

National boss Datuk Ong Kim Swee has ample striking options available for Malaysia's Group B matches in Yangon.

He can bank on the new, vibrant partnership of Ahmad Hazwan Bakri and Darren Lok, as well as the experienced heads of Safee Sali and Norshahrul Idlan Talaha.

Ong would be pleased with the promising Lok-Hazwan combination, which propelled the Malaysians to a morale-boosting 2-1 friendly win over Papua New Guinea (PNG) on Monday.

Hazwan also sees big things of his link-up with the English-born 25-year-old.

"I know of Darren's abilities. He has good physique, and can hold the ball well. I can support him, and get the goals if given the opportunity," said Hazwan at the team's farewell dinner on Tuesday.

The Selangor striker has been in good form, scoring in the first-leg semifinal, and final of the Malaysia Cup, before grabbing his equaliser against the Oceania nation, which Lok had a hand in.

"I have been playing well, and that really helps before a big tournament like this," Hazwan said. "We are good as a unit, but can improve for sure. My target is to take Malaysia as far as possible, but we will approach it one game at a time."

In total, the Harimau Malaysia have scored only 17 times in the group stage of the last three editions, with an average of less than two goals per game.

That tally meant they finished no better than second in the group stages of the 2010, 2012 and 2014 AFF tournaments, behind Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand respectively.

Datuk Ong Kim Swee telah mengumumkan senarai 23 pemain ke AFF Cup 2016. 3 pemain tidak dibawa ke Myanmar iaitu Safawi Rashid, Nasir Basharudin dan Khuzaimi. Mungkin tak lepas ujian kehenseman. . 4 hari lagi menjelang AFF Suzuki 2016. Debaran semakin dirasai. Ayuh Malaysia! . SELAMANYA HARIMAU MALAYA! . #malaysiasoccer #selamanyaharimaumalaya #harimaumalaya #ultrasmalaya #msl2016 #tanahtumpahnyadarahku #malaysia #malaysiaboleh #demimalaysia #negaraku #igreview #paidreview #futsalmalaysia #nfdp #teammalaysia #sayajual #kakibola #kamiteammalaysia #igreviewmurah #sayajualonline #malaysiapower #sayajualmurah #teammalaysia #paidreviewmalaysia #ligamalaysia #futsal #kakifutsal #bazarpaknil #bazaarpaknil #onlineshopmalaysia #igshopmalaysia

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Lok looks to change those fortunes after a "crazy six months" which saw him sign for Johor Darul Ta'zim II in June, and spend five months on the sidelines before playing 45 minutes of club football to be fast-tracked into the national squad.

"I have never been in this position before. I came from playing part-time football in England to now playing for Malaysia. So this is all new to me. But we do feel like a team and are ready," Lok told ESPN FC.

"The aim for me now is to hopefully get more starts, and keep playing good football. It was nice to leave for Yangon with a win, and I can tell you we are fully focused on the job ahead."

Malaysia began full training in Yangon on Thursday.

They will open their group campaign against Cambodia, followed by Vietnam (Nov. 23) and co-hosts Myanmar (Nov. 26).