Malaysia leave it late to down Laos 3-1
Published on: Tuesday, November 13, 2018
Kuala Lumpur: Norshahrul Idlan Talaha, better known as Mat Yo, spared Malaysia's blushes with two late goals against Laos to give Malaysia a hard fought 3-1 win in their Asian Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki Cup campaign Monday night at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium.The Malaymail reported that head coach Tan Cheng Hoe made several changes to his starting line-up from the game against Cambodia last Thursday where they won 1-0.Naturalised player Mohamadou Sumareh was injured during Sunday's training session and was replaced with Safawi Rasid on the right wing, while Syazwan Zainon and Syafiq Ahmad got starts in midfield instead of Syamer Kutty Abba.
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Malaysia fell behind as early as the seventh minute from a sublime free kick from Laos midfielder Phithack Kongmathilath.He curled his shot into the top left corner, and though Khairul Fahmi Che Mat got his fingertips to the ball, it wasn't enough to keep the ball out. Malaysia immediately upped the tempo.In the 15th minute, some neat play on the right allowed Syahmi Safari space and the Selangor left-back sent a cross into the box for captain Zaqhuan Adha Abdul Radzak to steer into the goal.Malaysia's relentless attacks in the second half yielded multiple chances at goal, but finally with four minutes left in regulation, Norshahrul Idlan Talaha scored from close range after Laos defenders failed to clear Malaysia's corner kick.
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He added Malaysia's second and third in stoppage time, sneaking behind the defenders to head the ball home from close range.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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They will next face tournament favourites Vietnam on Friday at the Minh Dy National Stadium in Hanoi. -
