OUTCLASSED: Malaysia left struggling in face of superior foe
MANCHESTER City showed Malaysia how football is really played as the English Premier League champions turned in a class above performance to win 3-1 at National Stadium in Bukit Jalil.
City's deft passing and swift play entertained the 50,000-sports fans despite the absence of several attacking players, which often left the Malaysian side confused and clueless.
National coach K. Rajagobal made only two changes from the team, who lost 2-1 to Arsenal last week, by starting midfielders Baddrol Baktiar and Gary Steven Robbat for Azamuddin Mohd Akil and Amar Rohidan, respectively.
Malaysia tested Roberto Mancini's side first in the third minute courtesy of a mistake from goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon, who handled the ball outside the box.
Centre-back Aidil Zafuan Abd Radzak, however, directed his free kick straight to the Romanian keeper.
Despite the absence of 11 regulars, including captain Vincent Kompany, City, who had only 17 available players yesterday, responded four minutes later but Argentinean striker Carlos Tevez, who latched a pass from Yaya Toure, drove the ball against the crossbar.
City scored their opening goal through Aguero in the 17th minute. The Argentinean striker weaved past two defenders before flicking the ball past goalkeeper Farizal Marlias and only poor finishing denied them more goals before the breather.
Tevez extended City's lead in the 48th minute after Aguero fed him a defence-splitting pass before Adam Johnson scored their third four minutes later with a delightful angle shot past keeper Farizal.
Malaysia's substitute Azamuddin Mohd Akil scored from a grounder three minutes from time.
The national team head for Austria on Thursday for friendly matches against clubs as part of their preparations for the AFF Cup in November.
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