PETALING JAYA: Malaysia got their AFF Under-23 Cham-pionship football campaign back on track with an emphatic 7-1 thrashing of Brunei at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta yesterday.
But the Harimau Muda’s man of the match Haqimi Azim Roslin, who fired a brace in the rout, was quick to remind his teammates to bring that momentum into their final and crucial Group A game against host Indonesia on July 21.
Coach Nafuzi Zain’s charges still need another win to secure a spot in the semi-finals as they have only three points after losing 2-0 to the Philippines in their first match on Monday.
“It feels good to get a win in this fashion but most importantly, we must be focused on our last group game against Indonesia,” said the 22-year-Haqimi, who plays his club football with Kuala Lumpur.
“It will be tough against the host, and we need to stick to a good game plan by the coach to get a result and reach the semi-finals.”
Against Brunei, Malaysia drew first blood as early as the second minute when Danish Syamer Tajuddin finished off a cross from Aiman Yunus Nabil by placing a superb header past Brunei goalkeeper Khairul Hisyam Norihwan despite being sandwiched by two defenders.
Just a few seconds later, they were two up when a cross from Shafizan Arshad was bundled by Brunei centreback Nazry Aiman Azman into his own net.
The match got a little cagey after that but Malaysia still had their chances with winger Haqimi having three great opportunities but he fluffed all of them.
He, however, atoned for his mistakes when his cheeky right-footed lob from the left in the 31st minute found Harry Danish Haizon, who unleashed a half-volley past Khairul to give Malaysia a 3-0 lead.
Hakimi finally got on the scoresheet in the 40th minute when he finished off a brilliant one-two with Syamer with a superb right-foot shot to the top corner.
In the second-half, Malaysia added another three goals through midfielder Danish Hakimi Salahudin in the 69th minute, striker Fergus Tierney (76th) and Hakimi again (76th).
Brunei’s lone goal was scored by Haziq Naqiuddin Syamra in the 74th minute.
