KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 10 – Malaysia picked up another defeat in Amman, Jordan – this time a 5-1 defeat against Uzbekistan (ranked 84) in a Tier 1 international friendly at the Amman International Stadium in Amman, Jordan on Saturday.
It was Malaysia’s second defeat in as many matches in the two-match playing tour of Jordan during the FIFA international break, having lost to Jordan 4-0 in the first match on Wednesday.
The Tier I friendlies is for national football coach Tan Cheng Hoe to identify his core team for the AFF Suzuki Cup 2020 which will be played in December in Singapore.
Did anyone expect Malaysia, ranked 154, to come away with wins against Jordan and Uzbekistan? Probably the netizens, who now to have a big say in who is to be called up for national callups.
This is a new trend in Malaysian sports. It is fast becoming a “disease” that seems to be getting out of hand if not checked. Yes. This is the truth and sadly it seems to be getting out of control with ”race politics” coming into the picture.
We do not want this to happen. It is race politics that has set the rot in many Malaysian sports and it is bound to get worse if the authorities close an eye and allow the culprits to get away with it.
Coming back to the national football team, you do not expect to get positive results from a squad that was assembled just hours before the players flew off to Jordan. Three days later Malaysia took the field against Jordan.
Cheng Hoe sums up best in his own words when he said: “International intensity and pace is different. You play under pressure and we cannot play our usual match when we take the field without any training together.
”More so when you bring some new names into the team and they cannot fit into the system. It affects all and this was glaring in our match against Jordan and Uzbekistan. However, I must say that our performance against Uzbek was better compared to Jordan (despite the score).
”Most of the goals conceded came from individual mistakes. However, it is good experience and lesson for our players. They lack mental toughness, techniques and preparations to face higher ranked teams in the Asian region and this is one aspect we need to work on,” said Cheng Hoe from Amman on Sunday.
Cheng Hoe and the team left for home at 8.30pm (Jordan time) on Sunday.
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