International Friendly Preview: Malaysia vs Singapore
Malaysia will be out to make amends in the return leg of the international ‘A’ friendly match against Singapore in the Shah Alam stadium on Tuesday
By Nicolas Anil
After conceding two late goals against Singapore last Friday, Malaysia will be gunning for a win in the second installment of the Causeway Battle.
The Tigers will also come into this match with extra motivation for a victory after being on the wrong end of several contentious referee decisions that went against them in the first game, most notably the indirect free-kick which brought the Lions back into the contest.
National coach K. Rajagopal is likely to stick with a similar line-up that featured last week, with Aidil Zafuan once marshalling the defence.
Safiq Rahim will be vital for Malaysia in midfield with his dead-ball delivery and passing; wingers Kunalan and Shahurain Abu Samah should support him with penetrating runs down the flank to try and unsettle the Singapore rearguard.
Safee Sali and Norshahrul Idlan Talaha should once partner upfront and give Lions goalkeeper Izwan Mahbud a busy time in goal.
Singapore coach Raddy Avramovic may also opt to stick with the majority of his young Lions, with the likes of Shaiful Esah and Agu Casmir in support. Raddy however will be missing Hariss Harun, Safuwan Baharudin, Shakir Hamzah, Khairul Nizam, Yasir Hanapi and Shaffiq Ghani due to National Service commitments.
But should Singapore trail the game, Raddy can count on experienced internationals in the likes of Shi Jiayi, Daniel Bennett and Qui Li, who scored in the last game to pressure the Malaysians.
This match is set to be an explosive affair, given the events that took place in the reverse fixture.
With fans clashing outside the stadium and several big decisions going against the Malaysians, expect a hungry Tigers to come out at the Lions right from kick-off.
Everything is up for grabs in the second leg of this Causeway Battle, pride, reputation and most importantly ranking points which would boost both countries FIFA standings.
A highly charged encounter is anticipated, roared on by both sets of passionate fans in an expected packed Shah Alam stadium on Tuesday.
Reader's Predictions
Top 3 Predictions
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Malaysia 0-8 Singapore
- 17.51 %
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Malaysia 8-0 Singapore
- 15.56 %
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Malaysia 2-0 Singapore
- 13.23 %
| Asia - Asean Football Championship (AFF) (AFFC) | Nov 25, 2012 | Malaysia 0 - Singapore 3 | |
| International Friendlies (FR) | Jun 12, 2012 | Malaysia 2 - Singapore 0 | |
| International Friendlies (FR) | Jun 8, 2012 | Singapore 2 - Malaysia 2 | |
| World Cup Qualification 2014 (Asia) (WCQA) | Jul 28, 2011 | Malaysia 1 - Singapore 1 | |
| World Cup Qualification 2014 (Asia) (WCQA) | Jul 23, 2011 | Singapore 5 - Malaysia 3 |
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| Mar 26, 2013 | Malaysia 0 - Palestine 2 | FR |
| Mar 22, 2013 | Malaysia 2 - Yemen 1 | ACQ |
| Mar 17, 2013 | Malaysia 1 - Saudi Arabia 4 | FR |
| Feb 6, 2013 | Qatar 2 - Malaysia 0 | ACQ |
| Feb 1, 2013 | Iraq 3 - Malaysia 0 | FR |
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| Feb 6, 2013 | Jordan 4 - Singapore 0 | ACQ |
| Dec 22, 2012 | Thailand 1 - Singapore 0 | AFFC |
| Dec 19, 2012 | Singapore 3 - Thailand 1 | AFFC |
| Dec 12, 2012 | Singapore 1 - Philippines 0 | AFFC |
| Dec 8, 2012 | Philippines 0 - Singapore 0 | AFFC |
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| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
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Ashraf Nu'man Alfawaghra Midfielder Al Faisaly Amman |
4 | 1 |
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Andreas Cornelius Striker Copenhagen |
4 | 1 |
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Mikael Forssell Striker HJK Helsinki |
3 | 1 |
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Fred Striker Fluminense |
3 | 0 |
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Felipe Caicedo Striker Lokomotiv Moscow |
3 | 0 |
