KUALA LUMPUR— Malaysia’s national team won 5-0 against Laos in their second Group B match at Bukit Jalil National Stadium tonight, continuing their winning momentum in the Asean Football Federation (AFF) Cup 2022.
The Malaysian team, ranked 146 in the world, faced world number 187 Laos in front of a home crowd of 29,961 spectators.
In the 28th minute, Sri Pahang FC’s Sergio Aguero, who received his Malaysian citizenship through naturalisation in September, controlled the ball well in front of Laotian goalkeeper Keo Oudone Souvannasangso and opened the scoring sheet for Harimau Malaya.
The score remained the same until the first half ended, as Laos struggled to create chances and the Malaysian players stood firm on the defensive line.
The second half saw head coach Kim Pan-gon substitute defender Sharul Nazeem Zulpakar for midfielder Lee Tuck.
Malaysia then doubled their lead in the 64th minute after Faisal Halim managed to chip the ball over the keeper to net the second goal.
Faisal then extended the lead to 3-0 in the 67th minute, just moments after his first goal.
Then, in the 76th minute, Harimau Malaya’s teenage striker Muhammad Haqimi Azim Rosli found the back of the net and gave the squad a comfortable cushion.
Not long after, Stuart Wilkin, who obtained his citizenship in 2016, scored the fifth goal to cap a fine performance for the tigers in the 86th minute.
Speaking at a post-match press conference, Pan-gon said he was pleased with his team’s performance today.
“We could have scored more, but we are happy and satisfied with five goals.
“I know they are good and I am confident with my team,” he said.
The South Korean also admitted that the players struggled in the first half due to Laos’ compact defence.
However, he was happy that the boys adapted and improved in the second half.
Meanwhile, Malaysian midfielder Brendan Gan, who earlier said he has full confidence in the coaching staff, played a defensive role today.
“The coaching staff have evaluated every player and they know what’s best for us.
“As soon as the coach told me that I would be playing in the defensive line today, I knew that I could do a good job,” he said.
Harimau Malaya opened their AFF campaign with three points after edging Myanmar out 1-0 last Wednesday, with Faisal scoring the sole goal in the 52th minute after receiving a pass from captain Muhammad Safawi Rasid.
Malaysia will play Vietnam on December 27, followed by their final Group B match against Singapore here at Bukit Jalil National Stadium on January 3. – The Vibes, December 24, 2022
