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Another listless display by the Tigers


Failed attempt: National striker Safee Sali (No. 10) fails to score with a tame shot in the friendly against Bangladesh at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil yTuesday. The match ended 1-1. — M. AZHAR ARIF / The Star

KUALA LUMPUR: The national team dished out yet another pathetic display and were held to a 1-1 draw by 10-man Bangladesh in a friendly at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil yesterday.
Winger Mohd Khyril Muhymeen Zambry headed Malaysia into the lead in the 24th minute but plucky Bangladesh equalised seven minutes from time through a Mohd Jahid Hasan Ameli spot kick.

And Bangladesh’s equaliser came just five minutes after their were reduced to 10 men when Pranotosh Kumer Dass was sent off for a second bookable offence. The match was national coach Datuk K. Rajagopal’s last chance to get things right before the AFF Suzuki Cup kicks off on Sunday. Yet, the team again failed to stamp their mark against the minnows, who are ranked 171st in the world.

The national team’s engine room, marshalled by skipper Mohd Safiq Rahim and Amar Rohidan, failed to control the match and were over-run by the industrious Bangladeshis.

Bangladesh, thrashed 5-0 by Thailand in a friendly in Bangkok on Saturday, showed that they are made of sterner stuff and troubled Malaysia with their fast counter-attacking game.

Rajagopal and the team have come under fire for their insipid performances in earlier friendlies – losing to Vietnam (1-0) and Thailand (2-0) and drawing (1-1) with world No. 172 Hong Kong.
Rajagopal was clearly disappointed with another lethargic display by his players.

“It was a very disappointing game … if I could change more players, I would do it,” Rajagopal said at the post-match press conference.

“The players were lethargic and didn’t show any urgency, especially in the second-half. We have four more days to rectify these mistakes.”

Meanwhile, Bangladesh coach Saiful Bari Titu was happy with draw, saying “I didn’t expect the result.”




THE STAR

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