VIENTIANE (15 July 2011) – Malaysia completed their fixtures in the AFF Under-16 Championship here unbeaten when they overcame Timor Leste 3-1 at the Chao Anouvong Stadium here this evening.
Despite not losing a game, Malaysia failed to make the semifinals and playing Timor Leste, reduced to 10 men in the 82nd minute, today was more for pride than anything else.
The Malaysia-Timor Leste match, which had no bearing on the group standings, were played at the same time as the Thai-Laos match at the National Sports Complex. The last two final preliminary round matches are always played simultaneously which is why the two matches were held at different venues around the city.
For the record, Thailand and Laos had already secured their places in the semifinals ahead of today’s matches.
For Malaysia, who drew with Thailand, Indonesia and Laos in earlier matches, the win against Timor today was their first of the tournament. It was a psychological win for the team as they now turn their attention towards the AFC Under-16.
After landing a couple of shots through striker Muhammad Ariff Farhan Isa in the eighth and 10th minutes, the Malaysians finally went ahead after Muhamad Akram Asidi’s header, from a cross from Muhamad Ariff, sailed over the goalkeeper
With the rain pounding on the pitch and reducing the speed of the game, it was expected that the goals woud also take some time coming in. Finally in the 34th minute, Adam Nor, had his crack at the goal. He spotted the keeper way off his line and quickly lobbed the shot over the onrushing keeper.
Timor Leste made it 2-1 in the 49th minute when Francyatma Alves Ima Kefi curled his shot from the top of the box.
In the 70th minute, Muhamad Zahin Zainal Alam took advantage of a fumble by the defenders trying to clear a cross from Muhamad Amirul Syafieq Mohd Isa Sham. And as they tried to clear the cross, Zahin ran the shot in and collided with the keeper who had to be replaced.
That was a major blow for Timor as the goalkeeper was the only one the team had. Their regular first choice keeper was overaged and his appeal to compete here was turned down. So Jacinto Paulinho took over as the keeper.
Realising Timor had a weak keeper, the Malaysians tried their best to get in the goals, alas, it was not to be and they had to settle for a 3-1 win. Eight minutes from time, Timor’s Mioses Pina Goncalves was immediately red carded for a crunching tackle on Muhamad Akram.
TIMOR LESTE: Francisco Gusmao (GK), Mioses Pina Goncalves, Domingos Ramos Freitas, Candido Monteiro de Olivera, Januario Da Costa De Jesus, Eusebio Pereira (Cpt), Ezaquel Dos Santos, Francyatma Alves Ima Kefi, Augustino Da Silva Araujo, Abel Dos Santos
Coach: Norio Tsukitate
Goalscorers: Francyatma Alves Ima Kefi (49th)
Yellow: Augustino Da Silva Araujo (14th), Eusebio Pereira (28th)
Red: Mioses Pina Goncalves (82nd)
MALAYSIA: Ahmad Solehin Mamat (GK), Shafiq Azreen Sa’Ari, Mohd Amirul Hafizul Samsol, Mohd Zulfahamzie Mohd Tarmizi, Mohd Raphi Azizan Mariappen (Cpt), Muhamad Zahin Zainal Alam, Adam Nor Azlin,
Muhammad Ariff Farhan Md Isa, Muhammad Amirul Syafieq Mohd Isa Sham, Muhamad Akram Asidi, Nor Asraf Ramly.
Coach: Mohd Khalid Shahdan
Goalscorers: Muhamad Akram Asidi (11th), Adam Nor (34th), Muhamad Zahin Zainal Alam (70th)
Yellow: Muhamad Zahin Zainal Alam (23rd), Muhammad Amirul Syafieq Mohd Isa Sham (56th)
Red: nil
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Hoang Anh Tuan (Vie)
Assistant Referee 1: U Min Tun (Mya)
Assistant Referee 2: Kywadhana Yean (Cam)
Fourth Official: Mongkolchoi Pechsri (Tha)
Match Commissioner: Augustine Arlando (Sin)
Referee Assessor: Augustine Arlando (Sin)
General Coordinator: Pairit Tanpairee (Tha)
