# North Koreans smash Malaysians for a 4-1 win
# Vingada still without a win after nine matches
Malaysia were unable to untangle themselves after conceding a 12th minute penalty as North Korea whipped Malaysia 4-1 in Group B Asian Cup match in Buriram, Thailand on Friday.
The big defeat left Malaysia with only one point to show after four matches with Lebanon on top with 10 points while Hong Kong and North Korea have five points each, separated by goal difference.
After six matches Malaysia are still without a win under Portuguese chief coach Nelo Vingada which started with a 2-1 defeat to Lebanon at the Larkin Stadium in Johor Bahru in the Asian Cup qualifier match on June 13. This was followed by 2-1 and 1-0 defeats to Syria and Myanmar in two friendly matches on Aug 22 and Aug 29 respectively.
Malaysia salvaged a 1-1 draw against Hong Kong at the Hang Jebat Stadium in Melaka on Sept 5 followed by a 2-0 defeat to the same team in the return-match on Sept 10.
With Malaysia’s ranking in FIFA at 170 things do not look good for Harimau Malaya as Vingada and company prepare for the return match against the North Koreans at the same venue on Nov 13 – a much dreaded match for the Malaysians not knowing what is in store for them in Buriram.
For Malaysia’s new captain Fadhli Shas it was a disastrous start wearing the skipper’s armband in place suspended Safiq Rahim. Fadhli was hauled up for hands inside the box and Pak Kwang-ryong made no mistake from the spot for a 1-0 lead.
The Malaysians crumbled in the second-half after Kim Su-yong gave the North Koreans a 2-0 lead on 42 minutes. Kim Yong-Il (48th) and Jong Il-gwan (59th) added to the tally on a night when Safawi Rasid pulled one back for Malaysia in the 67th minute.
The show goes on for Vingada and the Malaysians who have not made much headway under the Portuguese who insists that his job is not on the chopping block as he has two-year contract with the FA of Malaysia to pull Malaysian football out of the doldrums.
“I am not going anywhere. I need time to build a strong team,” Vingada has been quoted in the local media, adding that he is not worried about his position.
Before the match against the North Koreans the Portuguese was even singing a tune of even getting a positive result.
Reports filtering in from Buriram say a group of Malaysians who had made the trip to Thailand were utterly disappointed with the pathetic show put up the the national team. BY RIZAL ABDULLAH
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