And even though knives would have already been drawn at the end of the 0-2 loss to Jamaica tonight, still head coach Norizan Bakar should be given the benefit of knowing what’s exactly going through his mind ahead of Malaysia’s challenge for the Asian Cup next month.
Malaysia lost the match tonight to Jamaica following goals from Christopher Harvey in the 44th minute and then from Wolry Wolfe a minute later.
Still keeping his first eleven close to his heart, Norizan introduced youngster Mohd Norfarhan Mohamad to partner Hairuddin Omar upfront while using Mohd Hamzani Omar at leftback as against the experienced Rosdi Talib.
And the result was that there seems to be a lack of cohesion in the Malaysian game with several strayed passes and where the action was restricted mostly in mid-field against a Jamaican side playing mostly the waiting game in the first quarter.
However just before the break, Malaysia fell twice when off a Mario Harrison free kick in the 44th minute, Christopher headed in from close range while a minute later it was Wolry who made good from a Nicholy Finlayson corner.
“We should have had more urgency in the first half like we did in the second half. There must be a realisation that football is not a game of just 45 minutes,” offered Norizan afterwards.
“I don’t think that the loss was demoralising on the team as the players realised that this is just a friendly.
“All we need to do from now until our first game in the Asian Cup (against China on 10th July) is to make sure that we adapt early. That is the key.”
The change for Mohd Safee Sali (pic) and then Mohd Fadzli Saari as well as Mohd Ivan Yusof changed the game dramatically for Malaysia after the break where in the space of three minutes they created two chances which almost bore fruition.
In the 62nd minute, Safee’s first real shot from 20mtere out had Jamaican keeper Dwaywe Miller scrambling for the save while two minutes later, Fadzli’s attempt was blocked by the recovering Miller.
A mad scramble in the 76th minute failed to give Malaysia their first goal in the match although the second half did provide glimpses that Malaysia can be competitive against any side – provided they find their zone early in the game.
MALAYSIA
Azizon Kadir, Mohd Fauzie Nan, Mohd Khaironnisam Shahabuddin, K. Nanthakumar (Mohd Aidil Zafuan Abdul Razak, 63rd), Mohd Hamzani Omar, Norhafiz Zamani Misbah (Mohd Fadzli Shaari, 43rd), Mohd Hardi Jaafar (Mohd Safee Sali, 36th), Mohd Shukor Adan, Eddy Helmi Manan (Mohd Ivan Yusof, 58th), Mohd Norfarhan Mohamad (Shahrulnizam Mustapa, 57th), Hairuddin Omar (Indra Putra Mahayuddin, 78th).
JAMAICA
Dwaywe Miller, Lovell Palmer, Adrian Reid, Christopher Harvey, Mario Swaby, Mario Harrison, Nicholy Finlayson, Richard Edwards, Demar Philips, Fabian Taylor, Wolry Wolfe.
*taken from FAM website
