By Lester J. Bingkasan
Usliza scores National women’s football squad winner against Singapore
KOTA KINABALU: The Malaysia women football team edged Singapore 1-0 in their final warm-up game for the Kuala Lumpur SEA Games 2017.
Sandakan lass Usliza Usman scored the crucial winner with a fierce drive early in the second half to give the national squad a much needed win at the UiTM Stadium in Shah Alam, Selangor on Wednesday.
The victory, according to head coach Mohd Asyraaf Fong Abdullah, would certainly lift the morale of the national squad ahead of the SEA Games opener next week.
Asyraaf, however, said there is room for improvement and the remaining days prior to the opening game would be used to full effect to further prepare the squad.
One area that needs focussing is the team’s ability to finish chances created, which he said could be crucial to their bronze target in the Games.
According to him, the squad squandered several chances against Singapore and these weaknesses must be rectified fast.
“Singapore has a new coach and they are a new-look side who played a defensive game against us.
“That gave us problems, I have to admit, and we switched from 3-4-3 to 4-1-2-3 in the second half to give much edge in our offensive displays.
“We created numerous chances but poor finishing denied us a greater victory margin...the wet and heavy pitch did not helped much as it affected our rhythm playing for the first time in such condition.
“Despite all that, we are still happy with the win and this I believe will give us confidence as we look forward to our first match in the SEA Games,” Asyraaf texted yesterday.
Malaysia women will open their SEA Games campaign against the Philippines on August 15 and followed by powerhouses Myanmar (August 17), Thailand (August 20) and Vietnam (August 24).
Malaysia women’s are ranked 80th in the FIFA ranking currently, which make them the lowest ranked team in the SEA Games with Thailand in 29th spot followed by Vietnam (32nd), Myanmar (45th) and the Philippines (71st).