Malaysia pass with flying colours

Malaysia’s Safee Sali (left) is challenged by Hong Kong’s Li Hang Wui in their friendly match at Shah Alam Stadium yesterday. Malaysia won 2-0. — Picture by Osman Adnan

GOALS from captain Safiq Rahim and substitute Amirulhadi Zainal earned Malaysia a 2-0 victory over Hong Kong in their first match as Southeast Asian champions at the Shah Alam Stadium yesterday. Malaysia had nine players from their AFF Cup winning squad in the starting line-up with defender Aidil Zafuan Radzak and striker Ahmad Fakri Saraani returning from injuries making up the first 11.


In the 13th minute, Safee Sali's venomous volley from 25 metres caught Hong Kong goalkeeper Yapp Hung Fai off guard but the ball came off his shoulders before bouncing off the crossbar into play.
Malaysia's persistence, however, paid off courtesy of Safiq, who stole the ball from Deng Jinghuang near the byline before side-stepping another defender to score from close range in the 44th minute. It was his first goal in an 'A' international match.

In the second half, national coach K. Rajagobal made a few substitutions with striker Sharizal Mohd Saad and midfielder G. Mahathevan, both earned their first senior caps when Rajagobal brought them in late in the match. Amirulhadi scored the second goal in injury time.

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