Football: Malaysia pumped up by away result

Malaysia’s Wan Zack Wan Nor (left) tries to stop a Lebanon player at the Camille Chamoun Sports City Stadium on Sunday. The teams drew 0-0. — Picture by Supian Ahmad

 

MALAYSIA showed good organisation and resilience to hold Lebanon to a 0-0 draw in their Olympic Qualifier second round first leg match in Beirut on Sunday.
Although, the team would have liked to have returned from the Camille Chamoun Sports City Stadium with an away goal, they can take comfort from their defensive excellence, led by centre-back Muslim Ahmad.

The game also witnessed a selfless, industrious 90 minutes from midfielders Gary Steven Robbat and K. Gurusamy, who both made life difficult for Lebanon in the middle.

It would have been, however, so much better for Malaysia if substitute striker Syahrul Azwari Ibrahim had converted in injury time to break the deadlock in Beirut.

The result put Malaysia in a favourable position as they host the West Asian team in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday.

Coach Ong Kim Swee is, however, wary of Lebanon utilising the away-goals rule to their advantage in the return leg.

"We played cautiously here to avoid conceding goals but we also created enough chances to win as well," said Kim Swee when contacted in Beirut yesterday.

"An away draw is a good result but we should not celebrate like we've won. We still have 90 minutes of football to play. My players must remain focused for the return leg."

Kim Swee attributed the draw to the team's regimented play.

"My team played to instructions to prevent Lebanon from playing their normal game. They did everything right except for the strikers, who I felt should have done better," he said.

Defender Muslim expressed his delight after playing an instrumental role in Beirut.

"I've been guilty in the past for making mistakes but I did not make any yesterday (Sunday).

" I am confident the result here will give us the confidence to play better in the return leg," said Muslim.

Lebanon coach Samir Saad said the Malaysian team had been unbreakable.

"They were outstanding as a unit with a good defensive approach. However, I don't think they will play like this in Kuala Lumpur.

"The match will be more open in the return leg.

"The draw is not the end of the world for us. We will come back stronger," warned Samir.

Read more: NST