Thursday, July 03, 2003

Quick kill by Malaysia

BY RIZAL ABDULLAH

KUANTAN: Malaysia bounced back from a humiliating opening match by the Thai second stringers in the Asean Futsal Championship with a 6-1 win over the Philippines at the Sukpa Indoor Stadium here last night.

It was a much improved performance from the Malaysians compared to their 1-6 defeat by Thailand the previous day.

Their aggressive play brought them a penalty as early as the second minute when Addie Azwan Zainal was brought down inside the semi-circle. Jamhuri Zainuddin gave goalkeeper Edmundo Mercado no chance with a rising shot into the roof of the net.

Three minutes later, Malaysians were 2-0 up. J. Arasan broke free on the left and finished off a solo run with a thunderous shot.

Malaysia continued to pile on the pressure but were unable to finish off their build-ups from the flanks.

DESPERATE TIMES: Burnei's goalkeeper Mohammad Alli Othman and defender Sabtu Lupas try to block a header from Thailand's Kittisak Tanaksuwan (foreground) in their match on Wednesday. Thailand romped home 11-2. - STARpic by Nik Naizi Husin

And the Filipinos pulled a goal back in the 13th minute.

Singapore referee Jeffrey Goh hauled up Addie for a foul inside the Malaysian half and off the open free kick, Jimmy Dona shot whizzed past Zaidi Ramli.

Malaysia regained their composure and scored two goals within seconds from the 16th minute. Jamhuri got his second goal with a powerful drive and Mohd Saiful Mohd Noor scored a gem from an acute angle.

The Philippines were awarded a second open free kick in the 18th minute but Dona's attempt was saved by Zaidi.

Malaysia kept up their fast pace in the second half and it took them 10 minutes to add to their tally through Mohamad Feroz Karnim.

Two minutes later, Addie finished off a corner taken by Mohamad Feroz.

Malaysia’s hopes of making the final will hinge on their match against Indonesia on Friday.

Brunei, surprisingly, held court over Thailand for 14 minutes with goals by Muhammad Hardyman Abdul Lamit in the fifth and sixth minutes.

But there was no stopping the Thais once they got into stride with a penalty by skipper Anucha Munjarern and they went on to win the match 11-2. Anucha netted two more goals and Joe Nuengkord also scored a hat-trick.

Sermphan Khumthinkaew scored two goals and Kittisak Tanasuwan, Prasert Innui and Pongpipat Kamnuan netted one each.

It turned out to be a painful match for Hardyman, who had to be stretchered out and taken to hospital with a dislocated left shoulder after an awkward fall midway through the second half.

Newcomers Cambodia again showed that they are a difficult team to beat.

The Cambodians, who were edged 7-8 by Brunei on Tuesday, stretched the Indonesians fully before conceding defeat at 5-7.

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Quick kill by Malaysia