KUALA LUMPUR: The Malayan Tigers fought hard — tooth and nail but it was not enough to avoid defeat in Beirut yesterday.
However, Tan Cheng Hoe’s boys put up a fight against Lebanon in an Asian Cup qualifier that Malaysian fans should be proud off.
Malaysia lost by the slimmest of margins, just 2-1. That, too, came against the top team in Group B, Lebanon at the Stadium Camille Chamoun Sports City.
Many fans had feared the worst, that
Malaysia would be in for a thrashing, for another humiliation against Lebanon.
It seemed a mismatch, Malaysia, just coming off their worst ever Fifa ranking of World No 178 against World 121 Lebanon.
What more, Cheng Hoe had to make do with a team of “second stringers” after 12 Darul Ta’zim players were suddenly dropped from the team.
But Cheng Hoe’s men had other ideas - they just won’t allow themselves to be overrun by the Lebanese.
In fact for 90 minutes, for the whole match, Malaysia were the equal of Lebanon, with the scoreline standing at 1-1
Notably, Cheng Hoe’s team, comprising mostly new faces, displayed creditable attack and defence against the Middle East team.
The Malaysian backline comprising new faces with hardly any international experience, gave a good account of themselves as they, time and again, repulsed the Lebanese attacks.
Malaysia were penalised in the 18th minute when Matthew Davies felled Lebanon captain Hassan Maatouk. Referee Valentin Kovalenko did not hesitate in awarding a penalty kick. Maatouk had little problem scoring with a thunderous shot that beat Malaysian goalkeeper Hafizul Hakim.
Cheng Hoe’s move in bringing in Johor Darul Ta’zim player Syafiq Ahmad paid off when he got the equaliser in the 72nd minute.
Lebanon found the net in the 84th minute but Hilal Al Helwe’s goal was disallowed by the referee for off side.
However, Hilal made up for his disappointment by coming up with Lebanon’s winner in the fourth minute of extra time.