Corbin
KUALA LUMPUR: Harimau Malaya is certainly feeling festive on the month of Syawal.
Malaysia started off its 2022 World Cup qualification campaign on the right foot when they thrashed minnows Timor Leste 7-1 in the first leg playoff at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil on Friday (June 7).
First half proved to be emphatic for Malaysia as they scored four goals through La’Vere Corbin Ong (11th), Shahrel Fikri Md Fauzi (21st), Norshahrul Idlan Talaha (42nd) and Safawi Rasid (45th).
Corbin’s goal was special as it was his first competitive goal for Malaysia. The Johor Darul Ta’zim leftback benefited from a sumptuous cross from Safawi, when he headed the ball past a hapless Timor Leste goalkeeper Fernandes Aderito.
Matthew Davies and Mohamadou Sumareh were running riot on the right wing and their good work paid off when Davies’ from the right was finished by Shahrel, who came in the 12th minute to replace Syafiq Ahmad, who had to be stretchered off with an injury.
The third goal was courtesy of a beautiful play between Safawi and Norshahrul as the JDT winger’s layoff was finished off by the veteran striker.
Sumareh, who was suspended for the friendly against Nepal on June 2, showed why he was important to Malaysia’s attack as he picked Safawi with a sweet layoff and the 21-year-old Safawi obliged by thumping a shot pass Fernandes.
It could have been 6-0 in the first half if Malaysia were sharp up front. Shahrel, or fondly known as Eky, was guilty of missing two open chances in the 19th and 30th minute while Safawi’s penalty in the 16th minute was saved by Fernandes.
In the second half, Malaysia were caught napping when Timor Leste’s Joao Pedro broke away from centrebacks Shahrul Saad and Adam Nor Azlin to place a shot past Farizal Marlias in the 51st minute.
That goal woke Malaysia up as they got their fifth in the 58th minute when Sumareh’s dribbled past two Timor Leste players and threaded an inch perfect pass for Safawi, who obliged by thumping a glorious shot that ricocheted off the bar into the net.
Faiz Nasir, who was brought in the 75th minute for Norshahrul Idlan Talaha, made an instant impact when he started a play from the middle with Davies and finished it off with a thumping volley in the 77th minute to give Malaysia a 6-1 lead.
Akhyar Rashid completed a perfect performance when he capitalised on a loose clearance and placed the ball past Fernandes, who couldn't do much to stop all seven goals.
The 7-1 victory is certainly a good cushion for the second leg, which will also be played at the National Stadium on June 11.
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