History repeated at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila after 28-years when the Philippines snatched a 1-0 win over Malaysia in a Group A match in the football competition – thanks to another blunder by goalkeeper Haziq Nazli.
The newly married Johor Darul Takzim goalkeeper was a nervy lot and just like in the match against Myanmar in the opener on Monday – Haziq positioned himself poorly at the near post as he bundled an outswinger by Stephan Schrock from a corner in the 72nd minute to hand the winner to the Azkals.
Skipper Schrock, at 33, one of the two overaged players in the team, was the livewire for the Azkals and was all over the field – giving Malaysia a hard time each time he was on the ball. The other overaged player in the team is Amani Aguinaldo.
Schrock was the motivator and he was the general and the driving force on the pitch – rallying the team to keep their semi-final hopes alive after the 1-2 defeat to Myanmar.
On the other hand, Malaysia was a pathetic side and the Young Tigers were never in the game, especially in the first 45 minutes although they did much better after the break.
“We did not play well. Only in the second half, we did well very well but all that changed when conceded another goal from a corner kick and that changed the whole thing. We had our chances but when you don’t convert into goals you fail.
“The Philippines had more hunger than us and that brought them the win. They deserve to win,” said a disappointed Malaysia coach Datuk Ong Kim Swee.
Malaysia next plays Timor Leste on Tuesday and Cambodia on Dec 4.
Kim Swee rested his 17-year-olds Umar Hakeen Suhar Rezwan and Luqman Hakim Shamsudin from his starting lineup. The two only came on in the 67th minute with Umar replacing R. Dinesh and Luqman replacing Nik Akif.
