Roar, Tigers, roar!: Malaysia captain Faisal Abdul Halim (right) rejoicing with teammates after scoring in the 4-0 friendly win over Cambodia at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil. — GLENN GUAN / The Star
PETALING JAYA: National coach Kim Pan-gon was a picture of joy after his bunch of Harimau Malaya newbies triumphed over Cambodia 4-0 in an international friendly match at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil on Friday.
And he was pleasantly surprised too.
Why?
Because Pan-gon did not expect his team, who had eight debutants, six starting and two from the bench, to adapt so quickly to his ways.
“I would like to congratulate the Harimau Malaya players, especially the debutants. I did not expect a big scoreline because we just gathered for a short time,” said the South Korean.
“Day by day, I saw improvement. I’m happy and proud of them.
‘’They were professional, adapted quickly, and looked like they had been with me for a long time.
“I would like to thank the fans for coming during the World Cup period, especially with many big games going on in Doha. I appreciate that. We fight for them because of their commitment to the team.”
Captain Faisal Halim opened the scoring in the 11th minute when the winger unleashed a superb curling shot off a pass from Darren Lok to beat Cambodia goalkeeper Hul Kimhuy.
In the 38th minute, Faisal turned provider when he and Lee Tuck combined superbly with a neat one-two, which Tuck finished off with a goal.
It was Tuck’s debut goal for Malaysia.
The 24-year-old Faisal got his second in the 45th minute when he finished off a pass from Darren.
In the 86th minute, Stuart Wilkin, also making his debut, got his first goal for the country when he capitalised on an untidy split save from Kimhuy.
The other players who made their debuts were goalkeeper Kalamullah Al-Hafiz, centreback Sharul Nazeem Zulphakar, midfielders Nur Shamie Iszuan, David Rowley, Sergio Aguero and winger Alif Izwan Yuslan.
Pan-gon said the debutants had given him hope that he could continue Malaysia’s playing DNA style, which demands domination and fighting spirit.
“There were mistakes, which I jotted down a lot. I demand a lot and they try their best. I intend to pressure them because, at this stage, they have to build match fitness and further refine their game to compete at a good level.
“If we are not ready, we will suffer. I pushed them, and they accepted the challenge, they were professionals.
‘‘The result was seen against Cambodia.
“I spoke to the players, told them how proud I was. Day by day, they want to achieve the ideals that I want. They have adapted, and I can’t complain.
“These boys have the attitude to improve but more than that, they are passionate and emotional about the badge they wear.”
Malaysia will next take on Maldives in another international friendly at the Cheras Football Stadium on Dec 14.
The friendly matches are part of the team’s preparation for the AFF Mitsubishi Cup starting on Dec 20. Malaysia will open their Group B campaign against Myanmar at the Thuwanna Stadium in Yangon on Dec 21.
