Malaysia can still make last 16 despite going down to Japan

MALAYSIA crashed 0-2 to mighty Japan in a men’s Group A football match at the Huadu Stadium in Guangzhou yesterday.
However, the injury-hit Malaysian team managed to keep the score down against the Asian powerhouse.
Asian No. 2 Japan are the favourites, having convincingly dispatched of hosts China 3-0 in their opening game on Monday.

Piggy-back ride: Japan’s Yamamura Kazuya climbs over Malaysia’s Norshahrul Talaha during their Asian Games Group A football match at Huadu Stadium yesterday.

 

Japan, fielding their Olympic squad (Under-21) in the Under-23 tournament, got their goals through Kensuke Nagai (26th) and Hotaru Yamaguchi (64th).

Malaysia, who edged Kyrgyzstan 2-1 in their opening match, still have a chance to qualify for the round of 16.
All they need to is a draw when they wrap up their Group A fixtures against China on Saturday.
China edged Kyrgyzstan 2-1 last night.

The top two teams in the six groups and the best four third-placed teams will advance to the knockout stage.
Malaysian coach K. Rajagopal is optimistic of Malaysia’s chances of progressing in the competition.
“We knew it was going to be difficult against Japan as we had only 15 outfield players available for selection,” he said.


“We went into the game without six first-team players and lost another two in the match against Kyrgyzstan.
“But the players deserve credit for giving a decent account of themselves.”

Striker Izzaq Farris Ramlan was given a baptism of fire as he made his international debut while Mohd Muslim Ahmad and Mohd Fadli Shas were paired up for the first time at the heart of the defence.
The makeshift defensive line-up managed to hold up for about 25 minutes before it capitulated.
That was when Japan caught the Malaysian defence off guard in a swift attack in the 26th minute.
Midfielder Keigo Higashi burst into the box and hit a stiff shot which was parried by goalkeeper Khairul Fahmi Che Mat.

But Mohd Muslim’s weak clearance saw Nagai hammer the loose ball past Khairul.
Malaysia had a good chance to equalise in first-half stoppage time.
But Izzaq squandered it with only goalkeeper Shunsuke Ando to beat.
The patched-up Malaysian defence went to sleep again in the 64th minute.

This time, Nagai used his blistering speed to charge into the box to provide Yamaguchi with the easiest of task of nodding the ball in from close range.
Rajagopal suffered more injury woes with striker Norsharul Idlan Talaha and midfielder S. Kunalan suffering injuries.

They were replaced by K. Gurusamy and Mohd Fandi Othman respectively.
Seasoned campaigner Norhafiz Zamani Misbah and striker Ahmad Fakri Saarani will miss the rest of the competition.

Striker S.Chanturu, who scored the winning goal against Krgyzstan, is still nursing an ankle injury and missed the tie against Japan

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