Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: Singaporean referee Abdul Malik Abdul Bashir who will turn 44 on Wednesday is hoping to officiate in one more final match either in the AFC Champions League (ACL) or AFC Cup before he retires.
Abdul Malik, one of 42 Elite Referees attending the Elite Men’s Referees’ Course Group 1 at the AFC Elite Education Seminar 2012 in Kuala Lumpur, prefers to give the remaining two years his best shot instead of dwelling about retirement plans.
“If I can or am given the chance, I’d like to officiate in the final match of the ACL or AFC Cup before I retire from refereeing in 2014,” he told the-afc.com.
“My last final match work was the first leg of the 2008 ACL final between Gamba Osaka and Adelaide United. During that time, we had home and way legs for the final match.
“I know it’s not easy to clinch another final match gig because there are so many good referees in Asia now. But I’m sure it’s the dream of everyone who will soon hang his whistle and I’m one of them.
“I want to remain focused on my duty as a referee in the upcoming two years. I want to give them my best rather than occupy myself with post-retirement plans.”
Abdul Malik is also pleased with AFC’s efforts in bringing the best education to the Elite Referees including the move to bring in a psychologist to help them cope with the rigorous demands and pressure on the pitch.
“During the 2011 Asian Cup in Qatar, for the first time AFC brought in a psychologist from FIFA which really helped us cope with the psychological pressure and was a totally new experience for us referees.
“And in this year’s edition of the EES, we will learn from a psychologist from the Spanish National Refereeing School. I’m sure our ability to face psychological pressure will improve from this course we are attending this year.”