THE pressure is not on Malaysia as they will be playing as underdogs against Indonesia in the AFF Suzuki Cup final.

But if they hope to lift the title for the first time, the young team will need a favourable result when they host their Southeast Asian rivals in the first leg at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil on Sunday.

National coach K. Rajagobal has been reminding his players that they have overcome the most difficult part of the competition and that they are now in the all-to-play-for final against Indonesia.

"It is a matter of how much they want to win the title. We came into this competition without 10 regulars and also faced many other difficulties. "But my young players, including the seniors, overcame all these obstacles despite many shortcomings," said Rajagobal when met at Wisma FAM in Kelana Jaya yesterday.

"Being in the final is a big achievement for local football. Everyone is talking about these young players. It is now entirely up to them." Against Indonesia, Rajagobal said he wants his players to play for a desirable result in the first leg.

"We need a good result to take to Jakarta but in football, it is not always the case. Sometimes, a team can lose at home and win big away to lift titles.

"But of course our aim is to win. We know what we need to do in the final. Indonesia are tough opponents but we have played them before in this competition. Everyone in the team knows about Indonesia's strengths and weaknesses," he said.

Rajagobal, however, said special attention will be given to Indonesia's strikeforce led by Cristian Gonzales and Irfan Haarys Bachdim.

"Indonesia have quick and skillful flankers. I believe if we can play to our game plan, we would be able to contain whatever obstacles in the final," said Rajagobal. Gonzales is the tournament's leading scorer with three goals while captain Muhammad Ridwan (defender), Octovianus Maniani (midfielder) and Irfan have scored two goals each. Malaysia's Safee Sali, Mahalli Jasuli and Amirulhadi Zainal should all avoid being booked in the first leg as each of them has collected a yellow card.

"Of course, it will be tough for the team if any of them getare suspended for the return leg. But it is tough to control these kind of situations as anything can happen in a match," he added. Malaysia and Indonesia have faced each other twice before in a major final, both in the Sea Games.

In 1979 in Jakarta, Malaysia edged Indonesia 1-0 but eight years later, also at the same venue, the hosts won by solitary goal.