How well or bad did the Malaysian players perform in Thursday’s 1-0 loss to Vietnam in a World Cup qualifier? Timesport’s OOI KIN FAI rates the players on a scale of 1-10.
• GOALKEEPER
FARIZAL MARLIAS — 6
Did not have much to do as Malaysia limited Vietnam’s chances. Came off his line well a couple of times to clear the ball but could do little about the goal.
• DEFENDERS
LA'VERE CORBIN-ONG — 6
Wasn’t too troubled in defending as his pace was sufficient to keep Vietnam at bay. But, unlike previous matches, he wasn’t able to contribute much to the attack.
AIDIL ZAFUAN RADZAK — 8
A player the team were crying out for in the past few matches (when he was absent), and he showed just why. Strong in tackles, he read the game well and used his experience to good effect.
SHAHRUL SAAD — 5
Defended well at times, with some good deliveries out from the back to the midfielders and attackers. But his lapses in concentration were again laid bare when Vietnam scored their solitary goal.
MATTHEW DAVIES — 6
Competed well against the likes of Nguyen Quang Hai and particularly in keeping pace with Nguyen Van Toan. Another one who was denied much attacking opportunity.
• MIDFIELDERS
HALIM SAARI — 5
Was shaky at the start of the match and his back pass almost caught out his own teammates. Managed to regain his composure to have a decent second half.
BRENDAN GAN — 5
Did not have the same impact as he did in previous matches. Was marked out by Vietnamese midfielders. Was closed down quickly by opposing players in numbers each time he got near the ball.
SYAFIQ AHMAD — 5
Tried to influence the game but at times had to do it from deep positions, even collecting the ball from defenders. Not able to get into scoring positions at all.
• FORWARDS
MOHAMADOU SUMAREH — 4
Almost anonymous although he was another Malaysian dangerman that Vietnam coach Park Hang-seo deemed worthy of close attention. He was not allowed to turn or dribble without at least two men on him.
SAFAWI RASID — 4
The left footer had a difficult game. Apart from a couple of decent free kicks into the box, he looked largely anonymous in the match, with Nguyen Trong Hoang getting the better of him most of the time.
NORSHAHRUL IDLAN TALAHA — 4
The veteran forward was taken off after 56 minutes and it was obvious why. Unable to get into the game at all against robust defenders like Do Duy Manh and Que Ngoc Hai, and saw very little of the ball.
• SUBSTITUTES
AKHYAR RASHID — 4
Came on for Norshahrul with instructions to inject pace and trickery into the game but, more often than not, was let down by his poor first touch. Going through a bit of a slump.
SYAHMI SAFARI — n/a
Not rated. Only played in the last few minutes.