M'sia beat Kyrgyzstan 3-1 in opener
Published on: Thursday, August 16, 2018
Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia started the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta-Palembang in style after overcoming the Kyrgyz Republic 3-1 in the first action of Group E at Si Jalak Harupat Stadium in Bandung, Indonesia on Wednesday.In the action that was broadcast live by a private television station, the Under 23 (U-23) squad first broke the deadlock through a Mohd Safawi Rasid's penalty kick in the 38th minute after Muhammad Akhyar Abdul Rashid was fouled in the penalty box.The two teams exchanged raids but the 1-0 result remained intact until the end of the first half.
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As soon as the second half started, Kyrgyzstan double their attacks and managed to equalise through an Ernist Batyrkanov header in the 55th minute. Muhammad Akhyar again put Malaysia in front after intercepting a Mohd Safawi's cross in the 61st minute.Muhammad Syafiq Ahmad confirmed the first three points for the country's young squad coached by Datuk Ong Kim Swee after slotting in another Mohd Safawi's cross in the 78th minute.Malaysia would be facing defending champion South Korea in the second action at the same venue on Friday.Speaking at a press conference after the match, Kim Swee said he was pleased with the outstanding performance demonstrated by his players despite admitting there is room for improvement before facing South Korea.
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"I hope we will improve after this first match," said Kim Swee. "I know we were pressured by the opponents in the early part of the second half but when we scored the second goal, it gave the players more confidence," said Kim Swee.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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"Thank god, we got three points in the match today, and we will try to fix the weaknesses in this game to face South Korea," explained the Johor Darul Ta'zim player. – Bernama
