Malaysian coach Aminuddin Hussin did not get his wish to play in the rain but can still be proud of his charges' performance as Malaysia came close to upsetting defending champions Ukraine in their opening group match at the World University Games (Universiade) at the Shenzhen Stadium yesterday. Ukraine won 2-1.
Malaysia started the match brightly with Fahrul Razi Kamarudin testing Ukraine goalkeeper Yuriy Krsylytsya as early as the third minute with a powerful shot from just inside the penalty box after a surging individual effort down the flank.
The right winger was again part of the action three minutes later when he crossed for Saiful Ridzuwan Selamat, only for the latter to shoot wide.
The team seemed to lose composure in the middle of the first half with loose passing which allowed Ukraine to take control.
Ukraine nearly took the lead in the 28th minute when Dmytro Leonov's powerful shot was deflected by Malaysian keeper Norhadi Ubaidillah.
The rest of the half was played out evenly.
Malaysia took a surprise lead 30 seconds after the restart when captain K. Reuben Thayaparan thumped in a low cross from Fahrul Razi, however, it took Ukraine only six minutes to equalise with an almost identical goal from midfielder Dmytro Gunchenko in the 53rd minute.
The goal seemed to revitalise the champions who almost went ahead in the 57th minute when substitute Mykhaylo Kozak beat the offside trap but found Norhadi hard to beat.
Ukraine's continued pressure paid off when they netted the winning goal in the 89th minute with an easy tap in from Kozak.
Aminuddin, who had hoped for wet conditions to gain an advantage against their physically bigger opponents, said he was delighted with his charges' performance considering the limited time they had to train together as a squad.
"Ukraine came into the match expecting an easy time against us but we proved that we are no pushovers," said Aminuddin.
"Although we lost, the boys put up a great fight and I am very pleased with every single one of them as they all did well and played to instructions."
Aminuddin added that last-gasp winner scored by Ukraine did little to demoralise the team who are looking forward to their next match against Brazil this Sunday.
"I will be watching the Brazil (v Russia) match later tonight (yesterday) and see what we can do against them on Sunday."
Malaysia started the match brightly with Fahrul Razi Kamarudin testing Ukraine goalkeeper Yuriy Krsylytsya as early as the third minute with a powerful shot from just inside the penalty box after a surging individual effort down the flank.
The right winger was again part of the action three minutes later when he crossed for Saiful Ridzuwan Selamat, only for the latter to shoot wide.
The team seemed to lose composure in the middle of the first half with loose passing which allowed Ukraine to take control.
Ukraine nearly took the lead in the 28th minute when Dmytro Leonov's powerful shot was deflected by Malaysian keeper Norhadi Ubaidillah.
The rest of the half was played out evenly.
Malaysia took a surprise lead 30 seconds after the restart when captain K. Reuben Thayaparan thumped in a low cross from Fahrul Razi, however, it took Ukraine only six minutes to equalise with an almost identical goal from midfielder Dmytro Gunchenko in the 53rd minute.
The goal seemed to revitalise the champions who almost went ahead in the 57th minute when substitute Mykhaylo Kozak beat the offside trap but found Norhadi hard to beat.
Ukraine's continued pressure paid off when they netted the winning goal in the 89th minute with an easy tap in from Kozak.
Aminuddin, who had hoped for wet conditions to gain an advantage against their physically bigger opponents, said he was delighted with his charges' performance considering the limited time they had to train together as a squad.
"Ukraine came into the match expecting an easy time against us but we proved that we are no pushovers," said Aminuddin.
"Although we lost, the boys put up a great fight and I am very pleased with every single one of them as they all did well and played to instructions."
Aminuddin added that last-gasp winner scored by Ukraine did little to demoralise the team who are looking forward to their next match against Brazil this Sunday.
"I will be watching the Brazil (v Russia) match later tonight (yesterday) and see what we can do against them on Sunday."
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