# Muffed chances cost Malaysia dearly for a bigger win
Malaysia got the win and the three points for a winning start to their Group A campaign with a hard fought 2-1 win over a gritty Brunei at the Shah Alam Stadium on Monday.
It was not an easy win against the oil-rich Sultanate who failed to win a single match in the last Sea Games in Singapore in 2015.
Malaysia’s early firepower fizzled out just as fast after taking a fourth minute lead. A goal feast was expected by the 8,000 plus fans who made their way to the Shah Alam Stadium.
The yellow shirted Brunei side had yet to settle when Malaysia opened scoring. The enterprising and hardworking Mathew Davies, always a threat on right set up Muhammad Safawi Rasid.
The JDT player did not waste the opportunity – whipping an unstoppable volley past Brunei goalkeeper Haimie Anak Nyaring.
That set the home fans alight – as the Ultras Malaysia got into the mode with patriotic songs to land support.
However, if the Ultras and the fans were thinking of a goal feast it was not to be – with Malaysia muffing chances from chances they created, especially on the right with Mathew Davies a constant threat each time he made inroad into the Brunei half.
Brunei stunned the homesters on 12 minutes with the equaliser – taking advantage of Malaysia’s failed offside trap – as Mohamed Zulkhairy Hadi Razali drilling home ball past goalkeeper Mohd Ifwat Akmal Chek Kassim.
Malaysia were still the better team on the night and Brunei resorted to some rough house tactics with several bookings.
The homesters were not to be denied for their tireless efforts and were rewarded on the hour – when Adam Nor Azlin rose hight to head home a corner off a corner by Safawi. – BY RIZAL ABDULLAH
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