Though losing 3-6, Malaysia put up a good fight against famed English Premier League side Liverpool FC in an international friendly at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil here Saturday.
Having lost 0-4 to Arsenal, another famous EPL team on Wednesday, the Malayan Tigers coached by Datuk K. Rajagobal showed they were made of sterner stuff and found Liverpool's net three times, through Safiq Rahim (42nd minute) and Safee Sali (79th, 81st).
Malaysia's performance before a sea of red (Liverpool fans) will likely sound alarm bells in neighbours Singapore who will be facing the Malayan Tigers in the first leg match of the second round of the Asian Zone World Cup Qualifier in the city-state on July 23.
Liverpool known as The Reds went on the offensive as sooon as referee Nagor Amir Noor Mohamed blew the starting whistle and after a series of forays were awarded a penalty in the 26th minute when England midfielder Andy Carroll was brought down in the box by Malaysian defender Mohammad Fadhli Mohd Shas.
Charlie Adam making his debut for Liverpool this season had no difficulty firing past Malaysian keeper Mohd Sharbinee Allawee and his goal was welcomed with roars of approval from the fans who numbered some 80,000.
For the first 30 minutes of the match, Liverpool's keeper was hardly troubled though Malaysia's frontline of S. Kunalan, Safiq Rahim and Abdul Hadi Yahaya did try to find a way through Liverpool's defence.
With Liverpool in much control, Rajagobal made a substitution by fielding Izzaq Faris Ramlan and taking out Abdul Hadi who appeared to be out of sorts and the move paid dividends.
A fine move by Malaysia's attacking trio thereafter managed to rattle Liverpool's defence and resulted in a free kick which Safiq Rahim beautifully curled past Liverpool's defensive wall and keeper Brad Jones in the 42nd minute, earning cheers from the fans all around.
The goal made all the difference and gave the Malaysians a newfound belief that they could take the game to their more illustrious opponnents.
The 1-1 scoreline stood till half-time and on resumption, Malaysia made some changes to their lineup and brought in first choice goalkeeper Khairul Fahmi Che Mat while Liverpool also did a revamp, including bringing in Peter Gulacsi to replace Jones.
In their eagerness to chase goals, the Malaysian defence somewhat opened up and were punished by the more speedy Liverpool attackers when David Ngog latched on to a neat pass to fire home for Liverpool's second goal in the 57th minute.
A minute later Ngog was again on target this time his piledriver giving no chance to Khairul Fahmi.
Rattled by the two quick goals, the Malaysians appeared to be under pressure and sensing this Liverpool's attacking line went for the jugular and in the 74th minute were rewarded with their fourth goal when their Argentinian import Maxi Rodriguez converted.
However, the never-say-die spirit of the Malayan Tigers surfaced and substitute Safee Sali who was brought in the 60th minute narrowed the deficit when Gulacsi, under pressure from Malaysia's foward line, did not make a clean catch leading to Safee to pounce on the loose ball to hammer home in the 79th minute.
Safee, who now plays for Pelita Jaya FC in Indonesia, found the net again two minutes later when he latched on to a long pass and slammed the ball into the left side of Liverpool's goal before the opposing side's defence could get to him.
That they were able to score three goals against giants Liverpool gave the Malaysians a newfound confidence that they could turn things around and thus "went for the kill".
However, this was their undoing as Kenny Dalglish's side made the Malaysians pay when they added two more goals through Maxi Rodriguez in the 90th minute and Dirk Kuyt in the third minute of added time.
This was the first time Liverpool were making an appearance in Malaysia and it was part of their 2011 Asian Tour. On Wednesday they defeated Guangdong Sunray Cave 4-3 in Guangzhou, China.
They will be playing a series of friendlies in Europe next.
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