THERE are no two ways about it. Malaysia need to win the first leg of the AFF Suzuki Cup final to have any hope of lifting the trophy for the first time.

With memories of the 5-1 opening match mauling still fresh in the minds of both teams, tomorrow's encounter at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil takes on added significance.

There is talk of a revival of Malaysian football following the young national team's run to the final after a horrible start and for once, the fans will be out in full force in support of coach K. Rajagobal's side.

Few, if any, had expected the team to reach this far but now that they are here after 14 years, Rajagobal wants an all-out effort from his players to return to a time when winning trophies at regional level was a matter of course for the national side.

"Any coach, if you asked, would say they want to win. Now that we have come so far we want to seize the opportunity," said Rajagobal at the pre-match press conference in Bukit Jalil yesterday.

"We want a positive result, and by positive it means we are going for a win. We have no choice because we have to go back to Jakarta for the second leg where nothing is guaranteed.

"I want the players to do well and get the win."

Rajagobal, who expects a closely contested and exciting match, played down any thoughts of revenge for the Dec 1 embarrassment in Jakarta.

"We know what we have to do and both teams already know each other well. There are some areas we need to put greater emphasis on but I cannot disclose that now.

"We are ready for the final and I think it's going to be a very exciting match," said Rajagobal, who can expect his team to play in front of an 85,000-strong crowd tomorrow.

Indonesia enter the final with a 100 per cent record but all five of their matches have been played in the comfortable confines of Senayan.

"I don't think it will be an advantage for us whether they have played away or not. But we'll see how they adapt to the situation of playing without strong crowd support and whether they can play their normal game," added Rajagobal.

Rajagobal confirmed that only winger Khyril Muhymeen Zambri is unavailable because of a knee injury but would not say if Amirulhadi Zainal, who has just returned to training, also from a knee injury, will play tomorrow.

Ashaari Samsudin is on standby to start on the right and the rest of the lineup should be the from the eleven who drew 0-0 with Vietnam in Hanoi last Saturday.