KUALA LUMPUR: A spirited second-half display saw Malaysia hold their own against a technically superior Cape Verde side, securing a 1-1 draw in an international friendly at the Cheras Football Stadium on Thursday (May 29).
Despite being ranked 131st in the world, Harimau Malaya showed grit and attacking intent to match 72nd-ranked Cape Verde in a contest that tested their composure and resilience.
Head coach Peter Cklamovski handed debuts to Gabriel Palmero and Ubaidullah Samsul Fazili, and both impressed on their first international outing.
Palmero, in particular, nearly capped his debut with a stunning solo effort, surging forward nearly 30m before his shot grazed the outside of the post, leaving Cape Verde goalkeeper Josimar Dias rooted.
The visitors, however, drew first blood in the 29th minute. A flowing move saw captain Ryan Mendes slip in Sidney Cabral on the right, and the 22-year-old Viktoria Koln wingback executed a clever feint to beat Daniel Ting before rifling a right-footed strike past Ahmad Syihan Hazmi.
Cape Verde's crisp passing and fluid movement underlined their quality but Malaysia responded with plenty of enterprise.
Winger Arif Aiman Hanapi was lively on the flanks and fashioned three chances, all denied by the alert Dias.
Midfielder Nazmi Faiz Mansor tried to catch Dias off guard in the 37th minute with a cheeky curling effort after a layoff from Faisal Halim, but it drifted wide.
After the break, Malaysia turned up the heat. With Faisal and Arif dictating the tempo, the home side carved out several chances.
In the 60th minute, Faisal's low drive was spilled by Dias but no one was on hand to convert the rebound.
Moments later, Arif whipped in a dangerous cross that flashed across the face of the goal, evading everyone with Dias stranded.
The deserved equaliser finally came in the 78th minute. Substitute Quentin Cheng pounced on a defensive clearance and teed up striker Paulo Josue, who calmly slotted the ball home.
The goal was extra special for the naturalised Brazilian, who scored at the home ground of his club, Kuala Lumpur City.
Josue nearly grabbed a brace in the 85th minute, but his powerful left-footed attempt off a Stuart Wilkin pass was brilliantly saved by Dias.
Malaysia will face Cape Verde again at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil on June 3. The game will be held behind closed doors.
