Malaysia’s Resilience and Teamwork Pay Off in 3-2 Win over Timor-Leste
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 12, 2023 – Malaysia midfielder Paulo Josue emphasized the importance of resilience and teamwork in their hard-fought 3-2 victory over Timor-Leste in a 2024 ASEAN Cup Group A match at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil last night.
Challenges and Setbacks
Josue acknowledged that Malaysia faced unexpected challenges, including a strong performance and a solid defensive line from Timor-Leste, which blocked Harimau Malaya’s attempts to capitalize on opportunities in the first half.
"I think the most important thing tonight is the three points. Their team surprised us a little bit, and we struggled to manage the game effectively in the first half. We missed chances to score more goals early on, and that put us under pressure later," he said in the post-match press conference last night.
Second-Half Turnaround
In the second half, Malaysia showed their character and strength, working together and fighting to regain control of the match. "We worked as a team and kept fighting. Thank God we got the three points. Now, we need to focus on our next game against Thailand and fight for a good result there," Josue added.
Physical Edge and Young Players’ Performance
Josue believes that Malaysia had the physical edge, particularly in the second half, as Timor-Leste struggled with fitness. He also acknowledged that the lack of training time and the pressure during the match posed challenges for the performance of the younger players in yesterday’s match.
"Some of the younger players felt the pressure a bit, but that’s normal. We are here to support and guide them. They gave their best, even though this is our first time playing together with just two or three days of preparation. It’s not easy to adapt to the coach’s plan under these circumstances," he said.
Importance of Unity and Focus
As Malaysia prepare to face Thailand in their next Group A match, Josue stressed the importance of unity and focus. "We need to stay united and focused to get a good result. We can’t afford to drop points again, especially against a strong team like Thailand," he warned.
Match Details
Malaysia came from behind to secure a 3-2 victory over Timor-Lete, with naturalized striker Paulo Josue emerging as the hero, scoring two goals in the second half to turn the tide after Timor-Leste, ranked 196th in the world, led 2-1 at halftime. Malaysia will face Thailand in Bangkok in their next 2024 ASEAN Cup Group A match at Rajamangala National Stadium this Saturday.
Conclusion
Malaysia’s 3-2 victory over Timor-Leste was a hard-fought win that required resilience and teamwork to overcome the challenges posed by the minnows. With the importance of unity and focus emphasized, Malaysia will look to build on this result and secure a strong finish in the 2024 ASEAN Cup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What was the score in the match between Malaysia and Timor-Leste?
A: Malaysia won 3-2.
Q: Who scored the goals for Malaysia?
A: Naturalized striker Paulo Josue scored two goals in the second half to turn the tide.
Q: What is the next match for Malaysia in the 2024 ASEAN Cup Group A?
A: Malaysia will face Thailand in Bangkok in their next match at Rajamangala National Stadium this Saturday.