The shadowed one: Malaysia’s Arif Aiman Hanapi shielding the ball from New Zealand’s Liberato Cacace during the friendly game in Auckland. — FAM
PETALING JAYA: The Harimau Malaya came out looking hungry but they ended up losing their roar against New Zealand and were walloped 4-0 in an international friendly at the North Harbour Stadium in Auckland yesterday.
The heavy defeat was far from what the Malaysian football team had expected, as they were seeking to improve their FIFA world ranking of 130th with at least a draw.
Coach Pau Marti Vicente had no answers, as the home side gave an imperious display with many of their Europe-based players impressing in the big win.
The Spaniard often looked distraught on the sidelines and he could only apologise to the fans during the post-match press conference.
“First, I want to say sorry to the fans because there were many watching the game back home and also at the stadium. They were hopeful of seeing us win and perform well, but we could not deliver,’’ said Vicente.
‘’But at the same time, we faced a very strong team, one of the strongest we’ve played since I have been part of the national set-up.
‘’For the players, it was a good learning experience.
“In the first-half, we faced a lot of pressure but we stayed strong and kept believing. We were glad to end the first-half 0-0 but in the second, we conceded those goals during the transition phase. We attacked but they responded well to find those openings to score.’’
The first-half was dominated by the All-Whites, with Malaysia only able to hold some possession minutes before the breather.
The home side created about eight chances but were denied by the brilliance of goalkeeper Ahmad Syihan Hazmi and the resilience of centrebacks Dominic Tan and Harith Haiqal Adam Afkar.
Syihan produced four top saves while Dominic and Harith made a lot of blocks and interceptions to frustrate the world No. 95 side led by English coach Darren Bazeley.
In the second-half, Malaysia started well by stringing some neat passes and even had an attempt on target in the 48th minute when striker Romel Morales’ header was saved by New Zealand goalkeeper Alex Paulsen.
New Zealand got the lead in the 52nd minute when leftback Liberato Cacace made a pinpoint cross from the left flank which was finished off deftly by winger Elijah Just.
They went two up in the 60th minute when Cacace became the provider again, making a low drilled pass to Matthew Garbett who finish it off from the edge of the box past Syihan.
The hosts further piled on the misery for Malaysia by adding a third in the 71st minute when star striker Chris Wood, who plays in the Premier League for Nottingham Forest, capitalised on a mistake by Syihan.
He failed to palm away a cross from substitute winger Kostas Barbarouses, and Wood capitalised on the error by heading into an empty net.
New Zealand capped their glorious night when substitute midfielder Logan Rogerson fired home with a superb right-footed shot from outside the penalty box.
Malaysia will next face India in another friendly on Nov 19.
