Malaysia’s National Football Team Defeats Laos 3-1 in International Friendly
The Malaysian national football team lived up to expectations by defeating Laos 3-1 in a Tier 1 international friendly at the Port Authority of Thailand (PAT) Stadium in Bangkok today. Despite heavy rain and a waterlogged pitch, caretaker coach Pau Marti Vicente’s boys showed their determination and skills to secure the win.
First Half
The first half saw Malaysia taking the lead as early as the sixth minute with a Harith Haiqal Adam Afkar header off a corner. Malaysia nearly doubled their lead in the 32nd minute when Muhammad Safawi Rasid’s powerful shot sailed just over the crossbar. However, barely a minute later, a lapse in focus saw Malaysia’s defence punished by Laos, coached by South Korean Ha Hyeok-jun, as Kydavone Souvanny calmly slotted the ball in, leveling the score at 1-1.
Second Half
Malaysia continued to press forward for a second goal but failed to find the net in the remaining minutes of the first half. Vicente’s tactical substitutions paid off after the break with Stuart Wilkin putting Malaysia back in front through a penalty in the 64th minute after he was fouled by Sengdaovy Hanthavong in the box. Harimau Malaya then extended their lead when Sergio Aguero converted another penalty in the 83rd minute, sealing the 3-1 victory.
Post-Match Review
After the match, Vicente said the pitch conditions affected his players’ rhythm, allowing Laos to score. "I think it was really a shame. In the first half, given the condition of the pitch, it would have been better to wait and delay the start of the game. But we had to adapt, it took us a little bit of time to adapt to the pitch conditions and the game style that we have to play in this situation," he said.
Vicente also emphasized that his charges need to work on their finishing, as this area showed clear weakness in today’s match. "Maybe I think we need to improve on our finishing… we scored from corners and penalties but we missed a lot of open goal chances. I think we must correct this, and at least make sure that when we get into the penalty box we are strong and don’t miss on those chances," he said.
Conclusion
The win marks Malaysia’s eighth consecutive victory over Laos, including their 5-0 triumph at the 2022 AFF Cup at Bukit Jalil National Stadium. The team’s performance should also provide a boost of confidence ahead of their next match against India in Hyderabad on Nov 18.
FAQs
Q: How did the Malaysian national football team perform in the international friendly against Laos?
A: The team won 3-1, with a Harith Haiqal Adam Afkar header and two penalties from Stuart Wilkin and Sergio Aguero.
Q: What was the condition of the pitch during the match?
A: The pitch was waterlogged due to heavy rain, which affected the teams’ rhythm and performance.
Q: What did coach Pau Marti Vicente say about the team’s performance?
A: Vicente emphasized the need for improvement in finishing and adapting to the pitch conditions.
Q: What does the win mean for the team’s confidence ahead of their next match?
A: The win should provide a boost of confidence ahead of their next match against India in Hyderabad on Nov 18.