Malaysia pushes Thailand down to third in the table

Malaysia won the second match in a row, after Lower Thailand on launch day. They lead Group B after the third match with six points, still have two matches against Singapore and Cambodia. Singapore is second with four points from three games, and Thailand is third with one win and one loss.

The crowd of Thien Truong stadium cheered every time Laos attacked. But, coach Michael Weiss’ team did not create many difficulties for Malaysia. Laos attacks were often broken early in the middle, due to the thin upper force. In defense, Laos also does not play firmly. They are constantly being cut into the position between central defenders and full-backs.

In the first half of the first half, dangerous opportunities were created by Malaysia from crosses on both wings, thanks to the mobility of Quentin Cheng, Ahmad Khalili and captain Bin Mahadi. In the 33rd minute, Mahadi turned from the left wing into the center and shot from afar. The ball sank to the near corner, forcing goalkeeper Keo Oudone to fly and block.

Three minutes later Mahadi’s missed opportunity, also in a similar position, Hakim Shamsudin tricked Laos captain Nalongsit, and then sank. The ball hit defender Kaharn’s foot and changed direction, leaving goalkeeper Oudone frozen. After conceding two goals in the last seven minutes of the match against Singapore, the Lao defenders continued to play poorly when defending in the penalty area. The three of them couldn’t stop Hakim’s kick.

When the attack could not find an effective approach to the opponent’s goal, Laos conceded a second goal in the 43rd minute. From the edge of the penalty area, midfielder Bashah cut his heart into a dangerous corner, the ball hit the ground making Oudone unable to stop. .

Leading two goals to help Malaysia enter the second half with a relaxed mentality. Ajmal nearly made it up in the 51st minute, when his long shot missed the post. But, Malaysia did not have to wait long to widen the gap. In the 68th minute, the Laos defender broke the air-fight situation, the ball reached Hakim’s feet at a distance of five meters in front of the goal. This player easily controlled and sank Oudone.

Laos pushed up the squad from the beginning of the second half, but the attacks did not create a mutation. They play sporadically and lack ideas. The efforts of a few individuals did not help Laos public goods put enough pressure on Malaysia. The only goal of Laos in this match came from the error of the Malaysian defender. In the 85th minute, Fazili controlled the error of the horizontal stretch from the right, the ball to Phithack’s feet. The Laos striker turned around and cut the left leg from the edge of the forbidden area to goalkeeper Muhamad Ghani.

Laos did not have enough time to score more goals in the few minutes remaining. They also avoided the fourth goal in the second half offset time, when Oudone blocked the phase to face Syahiran from a tight angle.

In the last match on May 16, Laos met Thailand, and Malaysia played Cambodia.

Squad:

Malaysia: Ghani, Quentin Cheng, Amer, Haiqal, Ajmal, Syahiran, Hakim, Khalili, Bashah, Mazlan, Asri

Laos: Acacia Oudone, Phouthavong, At, Kaharn, Phouvieng, Chanthavixay, Phithack, Chony, Nalongsith, Sinnakone, Ekkamai

Vy Anh