PETALING JAYA: It was not the best of starts for Harimau Malaya in the World Cup 2022-Asian Cup 2023 second-round qualifiers after they were thrashed 0-4 by the United Arab Emirates at the Zabeel Stadium in Dubai on Friday.
The side led by coach Tan Cheng Hoe struggled throughout the game and only played in patches; conceding two goals in the last five minutes summed up Malaysia’s struggle against the western Asian nation.
UAE’s ace striker Ali Mabhkout and creative playmaker Fabio Lima were the heroes as they scored a double each. Mabhkout scored in the 18th and 90th minute, while Fabio scored in the 83rd and 95th minute.
KUALA LUMPUR: Though the Harimau Malaya lost both friendly matches ahead of the second round of the 2022 World Cup/2023 Asian Cup qualifiers campaign .
KUALA LUMPUR – All eyes will be on the national football team, who have undergone two weeks of intensive training, to do their best when they take on the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the second round of the 2022 World Cup/2023 Asian Cup qualifiers in Dubai today (12.45 am Friday Malaysian time).
Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican said he appreciated the commitment shown by the Harimau Malaya players as well as the team management.
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He said that no matter who is fielded by head coach Tan Cheng Hoe for the match at the Zabeel Stadium in Dubai, every player should repay the faith shown in them by giving their best.