Malaysia's Stuart Wilkin (second from right) celebrates his goal with teammates during the international friendly match against Singapore at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur. — Photo by MUHAMAD SHAHRIL ROSLI / The Star
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s versatile midfielder Stuart Wilkin inspired the Harimau Malaya to a 2-1 win over Singapore in an international friendly at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil on Thursday (Sept 4).
The midfielder, who was deployed as a right wingback by coach Peter Cklamovski, not only opened the scoring with a stunning strike but also turned provider in the second half, underlining his influence in an entertaining tactical clash.
Malaysia started brightly and carved out their first chance as early as the fifth minute.
Winger Arif Aiman Hanapi, released by Wilkin, drove purposefully towards the Singapore penalty area before letting fly with a fierce left-footed strike.
His effort, however, was smartly pushed away by goalkeeper Izwan Mahbud.
The Malaysians continued to press, and in the 17th minute, they produced a slick attacking move.
A combination of passes between Corbin-Ong, Figueiredo and Dion Cools opened space for Nazmi Faiz Mansor at the edge of the area, but the midfielder fired his effort over the crossbar.
Their pressure finally told in the 26th minute when Wilkin broke the deadlock.
After exchanging passes with Endrick, he latched onto a lofted return ball by controlling the ball with his chest and struck a superb half-volley into the near corner, leaving Izwan with no chance.
The goal was Wilkin’s third against Singapore, adding to the brace he scored in Malaysia’s famous 4-1 victory in the 2022 AFF Championship.
Singapore’s first real response came on the half-hour mark. Midfielder Song Ui-yong tried his luck from distance with a powerful strike, but Malaysian goalkeeper Haziq Nadzli was well-positioned to make a solid save.
Start of the second half, Endrick’s shot from outside the box was heading towards goal but Singapore’s captain and centreback Safuwan Baharuddin was able to thwart his shot with a super block.
In the 54th minute, the second eventually came, this time, Wilkin turned provider when he unleashed a superb first-time cross from the right after receiving a smart pass from midfielder Endrick dos Santos, which was finished off by Figueiredo.
Wilkin was taken off in the 62nd minute for wingback Quentin Cheng and received a rapturous applause from the crowd.
Quentin could have had the third when he stole the ball from a Singaporean defender and went on his own, but his shot was saved by Izwan.
Singapore reduced the deficit in the 71st minute when substitute striker Ilhan Fandi, who replaced his brother Ikhsan in the 70th minute, received a headed pass from midfielder Kyoga Nakamura and from 35 metres, he unleashed a superb right-footed shot to beat a shell-shocked Haziq.
After that goal, Malaysia had about four chances to score, but were not clinical enough. The defence led by Facundo Garces were stout as Harimau Malaya ended the night as victors.
