KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia suffered one of their most embarrassing defeats in football when Ong Kim Swee’s side lost 2-0 to Papua New Guinea (PNG), a country more famous for cricket, rugby and Australian rules football, in a friendly at Sir John Guise in Port Moresby today.
Tommy Semmy’s brace in the 35th and 42nd minutes earned PNG their first ever win over Malaysia in three meetings. Malaysia had thrashed PNG 10-1 (1976) and 5-1 (1984) in previous encounters.
Substitute D. Christie Jayaseelan came close to reducing the deficit for Malaysia in the 82nd minute but his shot hit the right post.
Malaysia were forced to play with 10 players after centre-back Shahrom Abdul Kalam got injured in the 66th minute. Kim Swee had by then already made all six substitutions.
But to be fair for Kim Swee, the coach reshuffled his lineup and also tried out new combinations in all departments.
Goalkeeper Farhan Abu Bakar and midfielder Ahmad Latiff Suhaimi earned their first caps. Ahmad Fakri Saarani and Mahali Jasuli were also in the starting lineup for the first time in 2006 while Amirul Hisyam Awang Kechik earned his second cap as a second half substitute.
Kim Swee opted for Shahrom, Fadhli Shas, Azrif Nasrulhaq and Khair Jones in defence with Brendan Gan and Latiff in midfield. Captain Amri Yahyah led the attack which also comprised Baddrol Bakhtiar, Fakri and Mahali.
Malaysia will next play New Caledonia in Noumea on Wednesday.