KUALA LUMPUR – The performance of Harimau Malaya in the second Group E match against Bahrain last night was praiseworthy but will not be enough to provide a strong challenge to two-time champions South Korea, the remaining team for Malaysia in the group stage, according to local football observer Datuk Richard Scully.
Based on his observations, the Kim Pan-gon-led squad took to the pitch with a more systematic playing style in that match, which saw Malaysia lose 0-1 compared to when they lost by 4-0 to Jordan a few days earlier.
In the match held at the Jassim bin Hamad Stadium in Doha, Bahrain’s midfielder Ali Madan’s lone goal at the end of the game dashed Malaysia’s hopes of advancing to the Round of 16 in the 2023 Asian Cup.
“For me, in yesterday’s match, Pan-gon implemented a suitable playing style. There was an improvement compared to the first match.
“Overall, it’s good. The focus will now shift to the final group match against South Korea (January 25), and we cannot apply the same playing style as yesterday,” he said when contacted by Bernama.
“Against South Korea, he cannot apply the same playing style as against Bahrain because they (South Korea) have a high tactical ability. We must ensure ball possession remains and wait for the right time to attack,” he said.
Meanwhile, former national player Azlan Johar described several mistakes made by players resulting in the national team’s inability to capitalise on goal-scoring opportunities in yesterday’s match.
He said that Harimau Malaya players were not serious as some of them were not in the right position to receive passes to make finishing moves, thus ensuring a goal for Malaysia.
“Players who should be in the position to receive the ball were slow to get into the right position to score goals. This is a small mistake; they need to work together as a strong team to produce results.
“Goalkeeper Ahmad Syihan Hazmi Mohamed also needs to improve his distribution, most kicks are not accurate to teammates, even though teammates are in the right position for an attack, and Syihan is in a comfortable position for a counter-attack,” he added.
National football legend Shahril Arsat said Pan-gon’s strategy of making player substitutions in the second half did not have an impact on the team, which provided Bahrain with an opportunity to attack and score a late goal.
“We had good attacking movements, just no finishers; maybe the pressure of playing at a high level is also a factor our players cannot finish well,” he said. – January 21, 2024
