Sports

Tuesday August 21, 2007

Safee and skipper Shukor score for Malaysia against Laos

By ERIC SAMUEL

PETALING JAYA: Hosts Malaysia and defending champions Myanmar got off to winning starts in the 39th Merdeka Tournament at the MBPJ Stadium in Kelana Jaya last night.

Playing in Group A, the national Under-23 side defeated Laos 2-0 while Myanmar edged Lesotho 1-0.

Safee Sali opened accounts for Malaysia in the 32nd minute and skipper Mohd Shukor Adan was on target in the 53rd minute.

The winner for Myanmar was scored by Soe Myat Min in the 49th minute.

Close tussle: Malaysia’s Safee Sali (right) tries to dribble past Laos’ Senlati Vongsouriyasack during their match in the Merdeka Tournament last night.
The 23-hour long flight home from Slovakia on Saturday showed in the performance of the Malaysians and they were lethargic against a defensive Laos.

The Malaysians dominated for most of the game but were unable to apply the final touches in attack until Safee broke the deadlock. Mohd Zaquan Adha's low shot came off goalkeeper Phoutpasong Sengdalavong and Safee pounced on the loose ball to score from close range.

The Malaysian defence had a scare in the 42nd minute when Vilasack Phothilath beat goalkeeper Nasril Nourdin inside the box but the Laotian could not finish off the chance.

Mohd Khyril Muhymeen came close to increasing the lead for Malaysia in the 49th minute. He beat two defenders but his grounder went just wide.

Shukor made no mistake when he was left unchallenged inside the box to nod in the second goal off a free kick by Mohd Amirulhadi Zainal in the 53rd minute.

Khamphieng Sonephansay beat goalkeeper Nasril in the 70th minute but Norhafiz Zamani Misbah cleared the ball off the line.

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