JOHOR BARU: Malaysia gave their best, but it was not good enough to deny silver medallists India a 5-2 win in the Sultan of Johor Cup (SoJC) at the Taman Daya Stadium in Johor Baru today.
India exposed the weakest link in the team by scoring easily past goalkeeper Amir Muhaimin Ahmad, who came out short in every department, including his height.
Malaysia showed glimpses of brilliance but unforced errors saw them trailing 4-1 at the half-time hooter.
Coach Amin Rahim substituted goalkeeper Amir with Rafaizul Saini, and he made at least 10 brilliant saves to keep the score respectable.
There is a lesson to be learnt from this match, as the Malaysian team played two contrasting halves, especially the goalkeepers.
India scored off Amandeep Lakra (sixth minute), Araijeet Singh (10th), Boby Singh (20th), Sudeep Chirmako (26th) and Tiwari Sharda (56th).
The Malaysian goals were scored by Shahmie Irfan Suhaimi (13th) and Amirul Haniff Mamat (52nd).
"Yes, I agree, we played two contrasting halves and when the goalkeeper was substituted, many saves were made in the second half. Against Australia tomorrow, I will let our goalkeeper coach (Roslan Jamaluddin) to decide whom to field as we will be looking for a win. But I am proud of the way my team took the match to India (second half)," said national junior coach Amin Rahim.
Australia coach Jay Stacy said his team are ready to face Malaysia, whom they beat 4-1 in a recent pre-tournament friendly.
"Our players were assembled from all over Australia a day before departure, and they played for the first time as a team since March in the friendly against Malaysia.
"And even though we struggled a bit against Japan today, I believe my team played much better than we did against Malaysia in the friendly.
"I have a rough idea of what to do even though we will be facing a tough match against Malaysia," said Stacy.
The Australian goals were scored by Jack Holland (15th), Joshua Brooks (22nd) and Cooper Burns (43rd) while Yu Imamatsu (36th) and Ikumi Saeki (59th) netted for Japan.
Britain got off to a super start when they demolished South Africa 4-1 with goals from Alex Pendle (12th), Fraser Heigh (19th) and Rory Penrose (20th, 29th).
Niel Raath scored for South Africa in the 15th minute.
RESULTS -- Australia 3 Japan 2, Britain 4 South Africa 1, Malaysia 5 India 2.
FIXTURES
SUNDAY: Japan v Britain (4.05pm), India v South Africa (6.05pm), Malaysia v Australia (8.35pm).
MONDAY: Rest Day.
* matches at Taman Daya Stadium, Johor Baru.