Malaysia will take a two goal lead to Lahore when meeting Pakistan in the second leg of the 2012 Olympic Qualifier First Round match. It could have been a bigger lead but a combination of failing to find the target and inspired goalkeeping by the visitors kept the score to just 2-0 by the end of the ninety plus minutes.
Head Coach Ong Kim Swee could not have wished for a better start from his boys when Wan Zaharul Nizam Wan Zakaria scored just after four minutes. The midfielder latched on to a loose ball from a corner and with his back to the goal Zaharul took an extra touch before unleashing a shot on the turn which flew past the entire Pakistan defence.
Photo by Fazdlie Ahmad 'Deto'
The crowd at the Shah Alam Stadium erupted with joy and many would have been expecting it a was a floodgate being open to more goals.
Unfortunately their expectations remained unfulfilled with quite a number of chances went a begging. However Malaysia were handed a break in the last few minutes of the first half when Pakistan were reduced to ten men when red mist descended on their striker Ansar Abbas.
The striker went up with Malaysia goalkeeper Khairul Fahmi to challenge for a high ball but it was the custodian that came out on top. However, Ansar pushed ball out of Khairul's hands, a foul which was spotted by Hong Kong referee, Liu Kwok Man. Perhaps not satisfied the decision Ansar kicked at Khairul which left Mr Liu with no choice but to flash the red card.
Perhaps they were shocked by the decision but The Pakistanis seemed to lose their concentration and Malaysia made the most of this situation. From an attack the ball was delivered into the box frpm the left. The Pakistan defence tried to clear the ball but it felt to Irfan Fazail who was lurking at the top of the box.
He connected sweetly with a first timer and the low shot went past the Pakistan defence and the unsighted goalkeeper Yousuff Ejaz Butt. It was not a night to remember for Yousuff when he was replaced by his coach, Tareq Lutfi with Muhammad Umer.
It proved to be a wise decision by Tareq as Umer turned out a blinder as he kept Malaysia at bay in the next forty five minute. Of course his job was made easier by Malaysian players who failed to find the target on a number of occassions.
But not conceding a goal during the match could prove to be more pivotal and if they could score an early goal in Lahore then the tie could be as over with Pakistan needing to score four goals in order to advance.
Not to sound cocky but it will be too much to ask from the Pakistanis. But then again, football could be so unpredictable thus Ong kim Swee's boys should not be complacent with the win.
COME ON TIGERS!
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