Friday 8 February 2013

No shame in defeat, says coach

ASIAN CUP: Errors deny Malaysia a share of points with Qatar

BUT for individual errors, Malaysia might have had something to show for their exertions against Qatar rather than a 2-0 defeat in the opening Asian Cup qualifying Group D match in Doha on Wednesday.

Two defensive mistakes gave Qatar a deserved win on the balance of play after Malaysia excelled in holding their more fancied opponents goalless at half-time.

But just as national coach K. Rajagobal's side began entertaining thoughts of returning with a point at the least, disaster struck when Khalfan Ibrahim scored off a deflected free-kick in the 55th minute before Yusuf Ahmed added a second on the counter-attack on the stroke of full-time.

The defeat extended Malaysia's poor record in the Asian Cup since 2003 to 11 consecutive losses in a 13-match winless run in qualifying and finals matches.

Malaysia's away form in the continental event is even worse, having not won a fixture outside the country since beating North Yemen 4-1 in Kolkata in 1984.

Rajagobal, who fielded a make-shift side after being deprived of 10 key players through injuries and suspension, was pleased with the effort put in by his hardworking but outclassed players.

Malaysia lacked a cutting-edge in attack, often lumping the ball forward which was easily cleared by the taller Qataris, who returned with interest to put the defence led by Aidil Zafuan Radzak under tremendous pressure.

"They (Qatar) were lucky," said Rajagobal at the post-match press conference at the Al-Sadd Stadium.

"The first goal was a deflection and the second from a counter-attack.

"It was not easy as the players were tiring. They were playing at a very high level and I think there is nothing to be ashamed of.

"We played well and managed to finish the first half with a scoreless draw.

"We had some chances of our own to score which we nearly did but we were unlucky.

"We tried our best to make a comeback but we were hit with the second goal. Overall, we played well."

Malaysia share third place in Group D with Yemen, who lost to Bahrain by the same score on neutral ground in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.

Rajagobal made just one change from the side which started in a 3-0 defeat to Iraq in a friendly with regular right-back Mahalli Jasuli replacing Abdul Shukur Jusoh in central midfield, as the coach had been hinting in his preparation.

He praised Mahalli for adapting well to his unaccustomed role, K. Reuben, despite his inexperience at this level though the right-back was partly at fault for the second goal, and the hard running of Amri Yahyah and Shakir Shaari.

"Shakir played well and Amri worked so hard," said Rajagobal.

"Mahalli, you must have been surprised seeing him in midfield, had a very good game and Reuben also had a good performance."

Amri, making a return to competitive international action since the 2010 AFF Cup, sent a stooping header just wide of the post in the 20th minute from Azamuddin Akil's cross was the only piece of threatening action of the first half as Malaysia successfully kept Qatar at bay.

Mahalli was giving an inspired display in midfield but it was his needless foul 25 metres out from the Malaysian goal 10 minutes after the break which led to Qatar's opener.

Ibrahim's shot deflected off defender Fadhli Shas, who turned his back on the free-kick which wrong-footed goalkeeper Khairul Fahmi Che Mat.

Fahmi denied Hasan Al Haydos in a one-on-one before Uruguayuan-born Sebastian Soria poked wide of the goal after a slalom run in the box.

Substitute Hadi Yahya, who replaced the ineffective Khyril Muhymeen Zambri, screwed a header wide in 73rd minute before Shakir cleared off the line at the other end after Reuben allowed Ibrahim Majeed a free-header.

Ibrahim went close twice more before Qatar hit Malaysia on the break in the 90th minute when Rueben and Fahmi got their wires crossed which allowed Magid Mohammad to slide the ball through to Ahmed for a simple tap-in.
Malaysia's next qualifier is against Yemen in Shah Alam on March 22 but they will play Oman in a friendly five days earlier.

NST

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