Kuala Lumpur: Southeast Asian Games champions Malaysia suffered a 2-0 defeat to Syria in Olympic qualifying Wednesday, just two days after clinching the regional crown in a highly charged final in Jakarta.Two second-half goals took Syria level on points with Group C leaders Japan in the Asian football qualifying for next year's Olympics, as Malaysia and Bahrain stayed rooted at the bottom, both yet to score a goal.Solaiman Solaiman's 52nd minute goal looked to be the clincher in the tie at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium, before substitute Nassouh Nakkdahli made sure for Syria with a second goal in the 88th minute.
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The result comes in an eventful week for Malaysia's Under-23 side, after it triumphed in a tragedy-marred final at the SEA Games in Indonesia on Monday.Two fans died and a boy was left in a coma following a stampede at the evening's much-anticipated final between Malaysia and hosts Indonesia, which Malaysia won on penalties.
Malaysia's next match will be this Sunday against Bahrain.On Tuesday in the other Group C clash, Japan beat Bahrain 2-0, a win that takes them top of Group C, with six points. Syria are second on goal difference, after also winning their first match against Bahrain last month.
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Tuesday and Wednesday's games, followed by another six on Sunday, are the second and third instalment of Asia's final qualifying round, with the top team in each of three groups gaining automatic berths at London 2012.The three runners-up will enter a round-robin for the prize of a play-off against a team from the African confederation.
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Men's football is played as an Under-23 tournament at the Olympics, although the rules allow for three over-age players. The group stage wraps up in March next year.Meanwhile, national team captain Safiq Rahim is undaunted by obstacles in obtaining a work permit to attend a trial with Cardiff City, United Kingdom starting Monday."If I am selected, I will leave all technical problems, including obtaining a work permit to the club's management. What is important, I will prove my worth," he told reporters before departing for Cardiff, Wednesday night.Previously, national striker Safee Sali was stymied by the stringent work permit requirement when attended a trial at the same club as it would only be issued to players in world's top 70 football nations.Safiq, 24, who spearheaded the national team in friendly matches against Arsenal and Liverpool, said the trial would be a very valuable experience for him and would put him in good stead in the national squad."I hope I can acclimatise with the club's rhythm quickly and get use to the weather," he added.Safiq, who left for Cardiff on board Qatar Airways, will undergo a three-week trial at Cardiff City and return home on Dec 17 or 18. Meanwhile, Asia's football chief Wednesday questioned Indonesia's safety standards after a stadium stampede left two people dead at this week's Southeast Asian Games soccer final.Asian Football Confederation (AFC) acting president Zhang Jilong called for a report from Indonesia after Monday's tragedy, which also left a nine-year-old boy in a coma.
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"We are very sorry to hear such bad news. All football matches should be made secure by all member associations," Zhang said at the AFC headquarters in Kuala Lumpur.The deadly crush happened when spectators broke through barriers at Jakarta's sold-out, 88,000-capacity Gelora Bung Karno stadium for the game between Indonesia and Malaysia, which the visitors won on penalties. - AFP/Bernama
