AFF SUZUKI CUP 2012 : Second half blitz puts champs Malaysia back on track

Reports by SHAMSHUL FITRI and K. RAJAN  - (The Star Online)

Awesome foursome: Malaysia’s (from right) Safee Sali and Safiq Rahim celebrate with Wan Zack Haikal, scorer of the third goal, during their Suzuki Cup Group B match against Laos at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil Wednesday. — M. AZHAR ARIF / The Star

 IT TOOK some tweaking but Datuk K. Rajagopal’s men finally got their act together to maul Laos 4-1 in their AFF Suzuki Cup Group B match at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil – and revive their chances of checking into the semi-finals. 

The Harimau Malaya began with a venom, playing with aggression and determination. It was no surprise when skipper Mohd Safiq Rahim scored from a free-kick in the 15th minute. 

That should have sparked a goal rush, instead the early fire fizzled out. 

And it allowed Laos to hit back through Khonesavanh Sihavong’s deflected effort in the 38th minute. 

The teams trooped off at half-time even stevens. 

This forced Rajagopal to tinker with his game plan and it worked wonders. 

“I told the players to play with aggression and they did,” he said. 

The Tigers went on to score three goals in a 13-minute spell through striker Safee Sali (66th), Wan Zack Haikal Wan Nor (75th) and Mohd Khyrill Muhymeen Zambri (79th). 

“Safee’s goal was the turning point … the match could have gone either way until he struck,” admitted Rajagopal. 

The coach, however, was quick to dismiss the victory and urged his players to focus on their final group match against Indonesia on Saturday. 

“We played well to win but we must forget this match and focus on Indonesia now,” said Rajagopal. 

In the other Group B match played earlier, Indonesia edged Singapore 1-0 to lead the group with four points. Singapore and Malaysia are tied on three points but the Lions are second on better goal difference. Laos are last with a single point. 

Rajagopal admitted that last night’s results have thrown Group B wide open, with all four teams still in the running for a place in the semi-finals. 

“The group has turned exciting following Indonesia’s win over Singapore. Everyone will be out for a good result on Saturday,” said Rajagopal 

Meanwhile, Laos coach Kokichi Kimura admitted that his defence was a letdown “as they were slow to close down the Malaysian players”. 

“We are an inexperienced side and were beaten by a better team. Matches like this help us gain more experience,” said Kimura.