KUALA LUMPUR (24 July 2012) – ASEAN champions Malaysia fell to a 2-1 loss to Arsenal in a friendly match that was played at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil tonight.
The decision to bring in Farizal Marlias in place of injured national No. 1 Khairul Fahmi Che Mat did not have an adverse effect with the former making several fine saves.
The Malaysians began strongly when striker Norshahrul Idlan Talaha tested keeper Vito Mannone early in the seventh minute while five minutes later, Arsenal replied through Diaby Genrvinho, but Farizal was equal to the task.
Then it was Malaysian captain Safiq Rahim’s turn with a free kick to the near post before Azamuddin Akil’s shot from inside the box was saved by Mannone.
The hosts were almost punished in the 39th minute when Santos picked up a defensive lapse, but his shot was blocked by Farizal. The change for Gary Steven Robbat brought more pace at midfield.
And with Safee Sali not able to break the deadlock, it was defender Azmi Muslim who put Malaysia ahead at the tail end of the first half with a stinger from 25metres. The score at the break was 1-0 to the Malaysians.
Arsenal made a handful of changes into the second half by bringing in Song and Theo Walcott where they began to take more control of the midfield.
Malaysia were more defensive at the start and slowed the game down when Arsenal attempted to increase the pace. Safee was presented with a great chance in the 57th minute but he took a tad too long for the finish.
Arsenal replied through Song in the 66th minute but again Farizal was up to the mark for the block. And when Safee failed to make it count again in the 78th minute, Arsenal took the opportunity to press the Malaysians further when they brought in several new faces to replace fast tiring legs.
Just when Malaysia thought that they had the game in the bag, Yanaris played the ball back to Thomas Eisfield in the 87th minute for the equaliser before putting the finishing touch through Chuks Aneke barely three minutes later.
The Malaysians conceded the first of their two big-game friendly 2-1 to Arsenal. Their next match will be against Manchester City on 30 July 2012.
As co-hosts of the AFF Suzuki Cup in November, the Malaysians are using these games to whip up their squad for their title defence. They are in Group B against Indonesia, Singapore and the runners-up team from the qualifying round in October.
Group A are in Thailand with the hosts, Vietnam, Philippines and the winner of the qualifying round.
