Malaysia dealt a blow in China

04/09/2002

MALAYSIA was dealt a body blow when they struggled to hold China 3-3 in
Beijing yesterday.
The national side, in the Chinese capital to size-up China before the
Busan Asian Games at the end of the month, had Chua Boon Huat's late
strike to thank as the Chinese held a tight grip on the match from the
start.
Malaysia, fielding their top 11 with Roslan Jamaluddin between the
posts, scored first from a Chua field goal. But China equalised before the
breather.
Chairil Anwar put Malaysia back in control after the break but even
before they could re-group China equalised from a swift counter-attack.
Malaysia were in trouble when China took the lead with one minute left
on the clock.
But thankfully, Chua came to the rescue with another field goal for
Malaysia's second draw against China in two months.
In their first encounter when Malaysia went on a tour to Busan - the
score was 2-2.
Team manager Zulkifli Abbas said that China's players are as fit and
swift as the Koreans.
"They have built a side which is as fit as the Koreans and rely on swift
counter-attacks to score goals," said Zulkifli in a telephone interview
from Beijing yesterday.
All three of China's goals came from swift counter-attacks and Zulkifli
said Malaysia will have to plan something special to counter the Chinese
who are in the same group in the Asian Games.
"We still have four Test matches to plan our Asian Games strategy. Just
as China has prepared a formidable side for the Beijing Olympics in 2008,"
he said.
It looks like the National Sports Council will have to revise their
early target of making the semi-finals of the Asian Games as China are not
as soft as predicted.
Pakistan, the other semi-final contenders from Malaysia's group, has
shown good form in the on-going Champions Trophy.
CHINA Tour squad - Goalkeepers: Roslan Jamaluddin, S. Kumar.
Defenders: S. Kuhan, Amin Rahim, K. Gobinathan, Redzuan Ponirin, Azrul
Effendy Bistaman, K. Keevan Raj.
Midfielders: Megat Azrafiq Megat Termizi, Madzli Ikmar, Norazlan Rahim,
Shaiful Azli.
Forwards: Azlan Misron, Fairuz Ramli, Rodhanizam Radzi, Chairil Anwar,
Chua Boon Huat, Riduan Nasir.
(END)