Malaysian defence pledge to make amends

Malaysian team manager Datuk Subahan Kamal has appealed to critics and fans to give the defenders a second chance when they face Singapore in the return-leg of the Asian Zone World Cup second round qualifying match at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil tomorrow.

“The players, especially the defenders, have pledged to make amends and to keep a clean slate against Singapore,” said Subahan.

Malaysia went down 3-5 to Singapore in the first-leg at the Jalan Besar Stadium on Saturday.
The defence was horrendous as they conceded soft goals due to their own mistakes.

Centrebacks Mohd Muslim Ahmad and Mohd Fadli Shas, rightback Mahalli Jasuli and leftback Mohd Asraruddin Putra Omar have all come under fire for their shambolic defending.

Subahan said that many had pointed to the defence as being their weakest link after the national team conceded 19 goals in their last six matches.

They included results against Taiwan (4-4 on aggregate) in the opening round of the World Cup campaign and the two friendlies against English Premier League sides Arsenal (0-4) and Liverpool (3-6).

“Yes, we are concerned about the defence ... the way they conceded the goals is just unacceptable. I am sure coach Datuk K. Rajagopal has worked out a strategy to check the rot,” said Subahan

“What I can assure everyone is that our defenders will not concede any more goals in Bukit Jalil.”