Do not punish Haziq Nadzli for one mistake

A soccer ball is cruel. One mistake can change the outcome of a game. A stray touch can be an artifact.

And for a goalie, one mistake is sometimes enough to make an entire 90-minute performance forgetful.

That's what Haziq Nadzli is facing. After his mistake when Kuching City FC faced Tampines Rovers in the ASEAN Club Championship Shopee Cup, it was easy to point a finger at the goalkeeper.

It's easy to say 'If it wasn't for that mistake, maybe Kuching City wouldn't be in the situation.'

But is it fair to punish a player for just one mistake? The answer is no.

Haziq must admit his mistake. He doesn't have to run away from her. He also needs to learn and make sure the same thing doesn't happen again.

But don't let one mistake make him the cause of everything wrong with the team.
Football is not a goalkeeper's game.

If Kuching City wins, no one says Haziq is the only one who wins.

If the defensive line manages to close the gap, the midfielder wins the ball match, the winger creates chances and the striker scores goals, all praised as a team effort.

So when a team is facing difficulties, why does one player have to bear the full burden of blame?

It's more painful when a player in the goalkeeper position becomes the easiest target. Other players' mistakes may not be constantly embedded in the scoreboard.
But the goalkeeper's mistake? One second, one goal. And then his name is called.

That's the price those who stand closest to the goal must pay. But behind that mistake was a player who was also human.

There's pressure. There's hope. There's a feeling of disappointment. And there's a desire to make up for mistakes.

What Haziq needs now is not punishment from supporters, but faith to rise.
Because a goalkeeper can't play with fear.

If every time he gets the ball he imagines a mistake against Tampines Rovers, it'll be a bigger problem.

He needs to get out. Dare to make a decision. Dare to take the ball. Most importantly, dare to make mistakes again without fear of trying. That's the mentality of a professional player.

Mistakes don't determine who Haziq is. It's his reaction after the mistake that determines his character.
Kuching City is building something bigger than a game.

This team wants to compete at the ASEAN level. They want to take Sarawak's name to the next level. They want the Cats fans to have something to be proud of.

Along the way, there will be victory. There will be defeat. There will be a beautiful night and there will be an unforgettable night.

Tampines Rovers might be one of those nights.

But don't make one night the measure of a player's entire journey.

If Haziq is brought back after this, don't wait for him to make a second mistake to remind you of the first. On the contrary, see how he reacts.

If he makes an important rescue, applause. If he manages to keep the goal undefeated, raise it.
If he gets up and helps Kuching City get a positive result, remember that the same player we ever dropped after one mistake.

That's why football. Today a player can be a black goat. Tomorrow he might be a hero.

To the Cats' supporters, disappointment is our right. Anger is also human.

But don't let disappointment take away your confidence. Haziq doesn't need a supporter who is only behind him when he rescues.

He needs a supporter who's still standing behind him when he's wrong. Because a goalkeeper is not judged when he makes simple saves.

He was judged when he fell, the question is not whether Haziq will make another mistake. The question is whether we're going to give him room to rise.

Do not punish Haziq Nadzli for one mistake. Let him answer it with a resurrection.

When he comes back in front of Kuching City, maybe we should all remember one thing, the goalkeeper is also human. But a goalkeeper who comes out of nowhere, that's what we want to see.