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Malaysia U-23 0-4 Japan U-23: Samurai Blues run riot in Kuala Lumpur
The Young Tigers continued their losing streak in the Olympic Qualifiers as they were humbled by Asian powerhouse Japan in a one sided match
Feb 23, 2012 1:00:00 AM
By Avineshwaran Taharumalengam
Football Association of Singapore
Ong Kim Swee’s side looked far from their best as they were outmuscled and outpaced by the technically superior Japanese side. Yuya Osako, Hiroki Sakai, Hiroshe Kiyotake and Keigo Higashi inflicted pain on the sorry Malaysian side as they were run ragged by the Young Samurais.
The Malaysians started off well as Ahmad Shakir Ali pressured the Japanese defence with his penetrating runs and telling shots. However after ten minutes of play, things changed as Takayuki Sekizuka’s side began to dominate and exploit the fragile defence.
Japan had a terrific chance to open the lead in the 15th minute as Gotoko Sakai, who was impressive, unleashed a first-time effort after a defensive spill, but his shot was saved brilliantly by skipper Khairul Fahmi Che Mat.
The only real chance for Malaysia came in the 11th minute as Fandi Othman initiated a brilliant play together with A. Thamil Arasu but his volley was just inches from goalmouth. However, Mahali Jasuli’s injury affected the rhythm of the Harimau Muda squad as the team started to look disorganised without their influential right-back.
In the 34th minute, Gotoko Sakai punished the home side as he bundled in the first goal of the game. The Kashiwa Reysol midfielder took advantage of Amer Saidin’s mistake as he tapped in past the helpless, Khairul Fahmi.
Japan then doubled their lead minutes later as Khairul Fahmi misjudged a free-kick, allowing Yuya Osaka with the easiest task of just tapping into an empty net.
In the second-half, the Young Tigers self-destructed with a crippling defence being exploited by their superior opponents. Kensuke Nagai’s inclusion in the second-half proved to be the masterstroke as he moved the team’s attack with much vigour.
Khairul Fahmi’s uncharacteristic error in the 54th minute proved the icing in the cake for man of the match, Hiroshe Kiyotake as the Cerezo Osaka playmaker, scored the third goal for Japan. The final goal came courtesy of Keigo Higashi as the substitute exploited Khairul Fahmi’s spill to grab the last goal of the game.
The Malaysians started off well as Ahmad Shakir Ali pressured the Japanese defence with his penetrating runs and telling shots. However after ten minutes of play, things changed as Takayuki Sekizuka’s side began to dominate and exploit the fragile defence.
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Japan had a terrific chance to open the lead in the 15th minute as Gotoko Sakai, who was impressive, unleashed a first-time effort after a defensive spill, but his shot was saved brilliantly by skipper Khairul Fahmi Che Mat.
The only real chance for Malaysia came in the 11th minute as Fandi Othman initiated a brilliant play together with A. Thamil Arasu but his volley was just inches from goalmouth. However, Mahali Jasuli’s injury affected the rhythm of the Harimau Muda squad as the team started to look disorganised without their influential right-back.
In the 34th minute, Gotoko Sakai punished the home side as he bundled in the first goal of the game. The Kashiwa Reysol midfielder took advantage of Amer Saidin’s mistake as he tapped in past the helpless, Khairul Fahmi.
Japan then doubled their lead minutes later as Khairul Fahmi misjudged a free-kick, allowing Yuya Osaka with the easiest task of just tapping into an empty net.
In the second-half, the Young Tigers self-destructed with a crippling defence being exploited by their superior opponents. Kensuke Nagai’s inclusion in the second-half proved to be the masterstroke as he moved the team’s attack with much vigour.
Khairul Fahmi’s uncharacteristic error in the 54th minute proved the icing in the cake for man of the match, Hiroshe Kiyotake as the Cerezo Osaka playmaker, scored the third goal for Japan. The final goal came courtesy of Keigo Higashi as the substitute exploited Khairul Fahmi’s spill to grab the last goal of the game.
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