Non-stop attack: Malaysia’s Mohd Harry Danish Mohd Haizon (top) battles for the ball with the Philippines goalkeeper Nicholas Guimaraes during their AFF U-23 Championship match at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta. — AP
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia were made to rue a string of missed chances as a clinical Philippines side punished them and trooped off with a 2-0 win in their opening Asean Football Federation (AFF) Under-23 Championship Group A game at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta yesterday.
The Harimau Muda could have taken the lead as early as the sixth minute when winger Aliff Izwan Yuslan unleashed a stinging left-footed shot from the right, only to be denied by a sharp save from Filipino goalkeeper Nicholas Guimaraes.
But it was the Young Azkals who struck first against the run of play. A swift counter-attack led by Javier Mariona set up striker Otu Abang Banatao, who calmly finished with a poacher’s touch in the 13th minute.
Malaysia nearly responded in the 19th minute when forward Haqimi Azim Rosli cut in from the left and rifled a shot that beat the keeper but crashed against the post.
Despite enjoying 72% of the possession and creating 11 chances in the first half, the Young Tigers lacked the cutting edge to break through.
Missed opportunities and a lack of composure in the final third proved costly.
Things got worse in the 42nd minute when Banatao doubled the lead, this time latching onto a clever pass from Uriel Dalapo before slotting past helpless Malaysian keeper Zulhilmi Sharani.
The 18-year-old striker’s brace highlighted the Azkals’ ruthless efficiency in front of goal.
After the break, Malaysia turned up the intensity, pushing wingbacks higher up the pitch in search of a way back.
However, the Filipino defence, marshalled superbly by centreback Gavin Muens, stood tall and unyielding.
Coach Nafuzi Zain’s men continued to dominate possession but were let down by a lack of creativity and decisiveness in the final third.
Frustration grew as the minutes ticked away, with the Filipino backline repelling wave after wave of Malaysian attacks.
The result leaves Malaysia with no margin for error. To stand any chance of a strong showing in the competition, they must now beat Brunei on Friday and hosts Indonesia on July 21 – both at the same venue.
Nafuzi said ball-watching was the reason why they conceded the two goals but also asserted that his side did try to wrestle the game away from the Philippines.
“In terms of performance, we did well from the first minute to the end. We had our chances. In the first half, we made mistakes in defence,’’ said Nafuzi.
‘’We allowed two easy goals. We didn’t give up, we tried, had chances but just could not get it in the back of the net.
“From the beginning, we could see some players didn’t settle down. We were ball watching and expecting others to help. I guess that led to the goals.”
