KUALA LUMPUR (30 July 2012) – Malaysia were just several shades off colour as a slick Manchester City side outgunned them 3-1 in the second of their big-game friendly that was played tonight at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil.
As compared to how the Malaysians were in their game against Arsenal FC the week before, the change in the colour of their kit from yellow to blue, also saw a change in the way the Malaysians played in front of more than 40,000 fans.
The Malaysians were just too sluggish and gave the star-studded City side too much respect where in the first half alone they could only afford a meager 38% of the possession.
With Carlos Tevez spearheading the attack, it was to be Sergio Aguero who claimed the limelight with a seventh minute try that came off crossbar the crossbar.
But exactly ten minutes later Aguero showed his Argentinean pedigree when they dribbled past three defenders before chipping over Malaysian keeper Farizal Marlias.
In the 27th minute, Malaysia was lucky not to have a penalty awarded against them when Koralov was brought down inside the box by defender Mohd Aidil Zafuan Abdul Radzak.
Two minutes later, Tevez got the first yellow card in the game for a foul on Azmi Muslim while not too long afterwards, it was Malaysia’s Gary Steven Robbat turn for the yellow for an unnecessary tackle from behind.
With the score at just 1-0 to City’s advantage at the break, Tevez then doubled their lead in the 48th minute when he picked up a pass from pass Aguero to shoot past Aidil and Farizal.
And four minutes later, City got their third goal of the game off yet another pass from Aguero for Adam Johnson to break through off side trap to score.
City then took their foot off the pedal as they gave the Malaysians some breathing space and where following the several substitutions would also change the intensity of the tie.
In the 72nd minute, the decision to bring in national No. 1 Khairul Fahmi Che Mat as well as Azamuddin Akil brought more confidence into the Malaysian game.
And three minutes to the end, the Malaysians pulled a goal back when Azamuddin Akil broke through the left for the shot past substitute keeper Erik Johansen.
With the end of the two big-game against Arsenal and Manchester City, the Malaysians will now head to Austria for their training camp in preparation for their title defence in the AFF Suzuki Cup at the end of the year.
