KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian football fans finally have something to celebrate after the national team bounced back from a trouncing by Singapore to destroy Laos 4-1 and get itself in position to advance to the knock-out stage of the Southeast Asian football championships, or the Suzuki Cup. “It was a good match, but Laos is not very strong so we need a lot more if we are to advance to the next round,” one fan told Bikyamasr.com after watching the match with a packed Malaysian crowd at a local Kuala Lumpur cafe. Manager K. Rajagopal's squad were able to pull together to beat Laos 4-1 in their AFF Suzuki Cup Group B match at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil – and revive their chances of advancing to the semi-finals. The Harimau Malaya began with a barrage, playing with aggression and determination. It was no surprise when skipper Mohd Safiq Rahim scored from a free-kick in the 15th minute. That should have sparked a goal rush, instead the early fire fizzled out. And it allowed Laos to hit back through Khonesavanh Sihavong's deflected effort in the 38th minute. The teams trooped off at half-time all even at one goal apiece. Rajagopal tinkered with the game plan in the second period and it paid dividends. “I told the players to play with aggression and they did," he said. The Tigers went on to score three goals in a 13-minute spell through striker Safee Sali (66th), Wan Zack Haikal Wan Nor (75th) and Mohd Khyrill Muhymeen Zambri (79th). “Safee's goal was the turning point ... the match could have gone either way until he struck," admitted Rajagopal. The coach, however, was quick to dismiss the victory and urged his players to focus on their final group match against Indonesia on Saturday. “We played well to win but we must forget this match and focus on Indonesia now," said Rajagopal. In the other Group B match played earlier, Indonesia edged Singapore 1-0 to lead the group with four points. Singapore and Malaysia are tied on three points but the Lions are second on better goal difference. Laos are last with a single point. It means a win for Malaysia on Saturday and they will advance to the semi-finals. A loss and they are out.
