PETALING JAYA: E. Elavarasan’s SEA Games-bound squad secured a big boost to their hopes in Phnom Penh after reaching the final of the Under-22 Merlion Cup in Singapore.
And they are not stopping there. It may be the fasting month of Ramadan but the boys are raring to go all out to beat Hong Kong at the Jalan Besar Stadium in Singapore tonight.
On Friday, Malaysia defeated Cambodia 4-2 while Hong Kong got the better of the hosts 1-0.
Elavarasan’s side led 2-0 through Haqimi Azim Rosli (pic) (13th minute) and R. Ruventhiran (29th).
However, the Cambodia side coached by former Japan international Keisuke Honda fought back with goals from Lim Pisoth (36th) and captain Sieng Chanthea (51st).
Undeterred, Malaysia continued to attack and scored through Fergus Tierney (62nd) and Najmudin Akmal Kamal Akmal (73rd) for the win.
For the record, Malaysia have never won the Merlion Cup tournament since its inception in 1982.
The players have shown their ability and more importantly, have the fitness to endure the punishing heat despite most of them fasting.
Playing in the Merlion Cup is a good test of their competitive level especially as they are going to feature in the Cambodia SEA Games in May when the capital city itself will have the hottest temperature for the year.
“Congrats to the boys for playing through in the afternoon session despite fasting. It’s not easy with the weather we are in now,” said Elavarasan.
“For the final tomorrow, it will be played later (at 7.30pm), so it will be cooler and I am sure the boys will be ready for one last challenge.
“Both sides have an equal chance to win and we can only focus on preparing our side to be ready for any situation that arises.
