SLOPPY VICTORY
Malaysia struggle to get past Oman
OMAN gave Malaysia a scare before late goals handed Roelant Oltmans’ side three points with a 3-1 win in Friday’s Asian Champions Trophy match in Muscat.
It was not a convincing victory, their second after the 3-0 success over Japan on Thursday, considering that Malaysia had hammered Oman 7-0 in their last meeting at the Indonesia Asian Games in August.
World No 33 Oman defended well in the first quarter before 12th-ranked Malaysia opened the scoring through Firhan Ashaari in the 22nd minute.
Omani goalkeeper Fahad Al Noufali then denied Malaysia on many occasions before the home side equalised via a penalty stroke conversion by Rashad Al Fazari in the 34th minute.
However, Tengku Ahmad Tajuddin Tengku Abdul Jalil made Oman pay for giving him space in the 46th minute as the 32-year-old forward sent a firm reverse shot past keeper Fahad to regain Malaysia’s lead.
And two minutes later, Faizal Shaari made sure of Malaysia’s win with his third goal in the tournament.
Oltmans was unimpressed with his team’s display but was happy with the win.
“We were a bit sloppy today, but it is okay as we can now work on our limitations before the semi-finals,” said Oltmans on Friday.
“Our strikers were not as sharp as expected, but credit should go to the Omani goalkeeper who denied us several times.”
Oman coach Tahir Zaman complimented his players for raising their game following the 11-0 thrashing by India in their opening outing.
“It is a morale boosting performance and a sign of progress for Oman. We gave Malaysia a tough fight,” said Zaman.
In another match, Pakistan defeated South Korea 3-1.
We were a bit sloppy today, but it is okay as we can now work on our limitations before the semifinals.
Malaysia coach