The saviour: Malaysia’s substitute striker Fergus Tierney controlling the ball during the match against Cambodia. He scored the equaliser in the 2-2 draw. — FAM
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia used to beat Cambodia easily in the past but not anymore.
Yesterday, the Harimau Malaya had to slog to save their blushes before being held to a 2-2 draw by the Cambodians in their opening Group A game of the Asian Football Federation (AFF) Cup at the Phnom Penh Olympic Stadium yesterday.
Midfielder Stuart Wilkin admitted that they fell short of their goal.
“We came here to win but we fell short. It was an exciting game for everyone in front of a full crowd at the stadium,” said Wilkin.
“The pressure was there from the crowd but we came back and ensured we didn’t start the campaign with a defeat.”
Just like Malaysia, the Angkor Warriors fielded several naturalised and mixed heritage players and showed much improvement compared to their previous years.
The first 20 minutes were cagey as both sides were cautious with their movements and could not create clear chances.
It took 25 minutes before the Wilkin and Syamer Kutty Abba took charge of the midfield.
Their top performances ensured that the Malaysians were able to create chances and eventually got their reward.
Malaysia opened the scoring in the 34th minute when Wilkin finished off a left-footed cross from leftback Daniel Ting with a superb diving header to beat goalkeeper Dara Vireak.
The visitors should have had a second in the 40th minute but winger Haqimi Azim Rosli scuppered his chance when he didn’t anticipate a superb pass from playmaker Endrick dos Santos.
In the second half, striker Syafiq Ahmad was taken off for fellow striker Darren Lok to inject more mobility up front but it was the Cambodians who seemed galvanised after half time.
Cambodia got their equaliser in the 51st minute when striker Abdel Kader Coulibaly capitalised on a superb assist from Kim Sokyuth, who beat two defenders before making the pass to the naturalised player.
The home side got the lead when substitute winger Sa Ty scored in the 60th minute after taking a superb corner from midfielder Om Chanpolin.
Malaysia fought back when substitute striker Fergus Tierney scored his first goal in his fourth appearance when he unleashed a long-range shot after receiving a brilliant flick from Dos Santos to beat Vireak in the 73rd minute.
Malaysia tried to break the Cambodians down with several attacks and even brought on attackers like Sergio Aguero and 19-year-old G. Pavithran but it was not enough to bring home the three points.
But one thing is for sure - Malaysia will have to be at their very best against any Southeast Asian nation if they want to progress in the AFF Cup.
They will next take on Timor Leste at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil on Wednesday.
