Malaysia, Thailand fall to friendly defeats
Malaysia's preparations for the upcoming 2015 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers were dealt a blow as they lost 4-1 to Saudi Arabia in a friendly at the Shah Alam Stadium.
Sunday's clash was meant to provide Harimau Malaya boss K. Rajagobal with one final chance to get his side ready for next Friday's clash with Yemen, who are also looking for their first points in Group D after falling to defeat in their campaign opener.
Nonetheless, it took them just seven minutes to fall behind when Yousef Al Salem opened the scoring; meeting a right-wing cross with a brilliant back header that looped over Khairul Fahmi and into the back of the net.
Right on the half-hour mark, the visitors doubled their lead after Mustafa Al Bassas went on a blistering run down the right and played the ball to Yahya Al Shehri, who unleashed a fierce shot that Fahmi got a hand to but just could not keep out.
Darul Takzim midfielder Safiq Rahim, who has come under criticism lately for his poor form, then answered his critics and gave the home fans reason to cheer when he pulled one back in the 71st minute, rifling home a shot from the edge of the area after Abdul Manaf Mamat had cleverly made his way down the left before laying the ball into his path.
Nonetheless, any hope of a Malaysia comeback was ended in the 89th minute when Naif Hazazi was left unmarked inside the area and sent an emphatic effort into the back of the net, before the rout was completed deep into injury-time when Hamdan Al Hamdan struck a sumptuous half-volley past Norazlan Razali and into the top corner.
Malaysia' Southeast Asian rivals Thailand also fell to defeat ahead of a crucial game after losing 1-0 to Qatar at the Jassim bin Hamad Stadium in Doha.
After impressively matching their more-illustrious opponents for much of the first half, the War Elephants fell behind in the 54th minute when Al Sadd star Khalfan Ibrahim opened the scoring.
Thereafter, Thailand failed to match the energy and desire shown in the first half as the hosts played out the remainder of the game at a comfortable pace, although PTT Rayong striker Kirati Keawsombut did give them one final scare with a good header two minutes from time.
Thailand, who were beaten 3-1 at home to Kuwait in their opening Asian Cup qualifier, resume their Group B campaign on Friday when they visit Lebanon.
Sunday's International Friendly Results
Malaysia 1-4 Saudi Arabia
Qatar 1-0 Thailand