Following a draw against “lowly Macau,” the Malay coach Ong Kim Swee told players to accept the bitter truth that they are not good enough to go up against minnows.
According to sports site fourfourtwo.com, it was a game many expected to supply a morale-boosting win, with many expecting a convincing win at Hang Jebat Stadium in Malacca.
However, the Malaysians’ lack of impetus was evident for all to see as the Tigers were booed off the pitch, with Macau even cheered on the few occasions they attacked towards the end of the match.
And Ong, who warned against over expectations in his pre-match press conference before the match, delivered a scathing verdict following his team’s performance.
“This result is very worrying, it is far from good and in fact a bitter experience. Everyone needs to respond to this, including myself,” said Ong to fourfourtwo.com.
“As coach, I have to take responsibility as well and it is my duty to respond to this. This result hasn’t stopped me from thinking what more needs to be done with the team in coming months.
Here’s what happened in Malacca, according to a detailed report by espnfc.com:
Malaysia huffed and puffed but were unable to break down a stubborn Macau as they were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw in an international friendly this week in Ong Kim Swee’s hometown of Malacca.
The host nation had the best of the chances and produced some enterprising passing. But they lacked a cutting edge in the final third against a side ranked 195th in the world, 29 spots below them.
Malay coach Ong Kim Swee
Coach Ong changed more than half his lineup from the team who lost 2-0 in an AFC 2018 World Cup qualifier against Saudi Arabia last Thursday.
Captain Safiq Rahim was left on the bench, alongside fellow midfielders Brendan Gan and Wan Zack Haikal, while Norshahrul Idlan Talaha was given a chance up front, in partnership with the evergreen Amri Yahyah, who wore the skipper’s armband.
The home side dominated early possession but struggled to unlock their defensive-minded opponents.
Norshahrul Idlan Talaha did his best to inspire Malaysia to victory against Macau.
In the eighth minute, Norshahrul broke down the right before threading the ball through to Azrif Nasrulhaq, who blasted wide.
And then on 14 minutes, fullback Matthew Davies made inroads on the right and sent in a dangerous cross. But Nazrin Nawi was unable to get on the end of it.
Coach Ong was forced to make a change on 19 minute when left-back Nazirul Naim was stretchered off with a leg injury, replaced by Yong Kuong Yong.
Norshahrul was the most dangerous player on the field and fired a shot on target from long range in the 26th minute after skipping past two defenders.
But Malaysia’s best chance of the half came in the 38th minute when Macau failed to clear a corner after Fadli Shas’ header. Amri put in a delightful ball in the follow-up attack, but Nazrin’s shot from the left of the six-yard box was touched onto the post by goalkeeper Mo Han Fai and Norshahrul was unable to bundle it home.
Coach Ong Kim Swee reshuffled his deck after the break against Macau.
Ong gave Malaysia a more attacking look for the second half with winger Wan Zack Haikal taking over from defender Davies, and Hafiz Kamal replacing Nazmi Faiz.
Amri threatened from long range in the 52nd and 58th minutes but failed to find the target.
The forward then provided the cross for Shahrom Kalam in a dangerous position, only to see the Selangor defender head wide in the 68th minute.
The left foot of Hafiz provided three late opportunities. First, his threatening free-kick in the 79th minute was parried away by Ho. Then, another accurate set piece was met by the head of Amri in the 84th minute, drawing a smart close-range save at the near post.
And in the 93rd minute, Hafiz’s free-kick was touched onto the bar by the outstanding Ho to deprive Malaysia victory in coach Ong’s old neighbourhood.
lineups
Malaysia: Izham Tarmizi (GK); Matt Davies (Wan Zack Haikal 46’), Shahrom Kalam (Joseph Kalang Tie 78’), Fadhli Shas (Amirul Hisyam 62’), Nazirul Naim (Yong Kuong Yong 19’); Azrif Nasrulhaq, Baddrol Bakhtiar (Brendan Gan 73), Nazmi Faiz (Hafiz Kamal 46’), Nazrin Nawi; Amri Yahyah (c), Norshahrul Idlan Talaha
Macau: Ho Man Fai (GK); Lei Chi Kin, Lao Pak Lin, Chan Man, Cheang Cheng Leong Paulo (C); Leong Ka Hang, Ho Chi Fong, Egar Teixeira, Pang Chi Hang; Miguel Cordeiro, Leong Tak Wai
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