Malaysia National Team show their good performance after tied Cape Verde National Team scoring 1-1 in the International Match Tier 1 at KLFA Stadium, Cheras.
In a match closely watched by Harimau Malaya fans, head coach Peter Cklamovski’s side showed resilience and determination after going behind early in the game. The fixture also marked a milestone for Malaysia as two promising young talents, Gabriel Palmero and Ubaidullah, were handed their senior international debuts.
Cape Verde, ranked 65th in the world, fielded a strong side including Sporting Lisbon defender David Moreira, and quickly stamped their authority with a goal in the 8th minute. Right-back Sydny Cabral capitalized on a defensive lapse to fire a low-driven shot past Syihan Hazmi, giving the African side a 1-0 lead.
Malaysia responded positively, with Arif Aiman showing his flair and pace down the right wing. However, two left-footed efforts from the Johor Darul Ta’zim star were smartly denied by Cape Verde’s experienced goalkeeper, Vozinho.
Just before the break, Safawi Rasid nearly found the equalizer with a clever flick, but once again Vozinho was alert to keep the score at 1-0 going into halftime.
In the second half, Harimau Malaya increased the pressure, with Arif and Corbin Ong combining well to stretch the Cape Verde defense. The breakthrough finally came in the 80th minute, when veteran striker Paulo Josue, coming off the bench, made an instant impact. The KL City FC forward latched onto a loose ball inside the box to slot home the equalizer, sending the home crowd into celebration.
Despite late efforts from both sides, the match ended in a deserved 1-1 draw, a result that underlined Malaysia’s progress against higher-ranked opposition.
The two teams are scheduled to meet again in a closed-door friendly at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium on June 3, serving as the final tune-up before Malaysia’s pivotal Asian Cup Qualifier against Vietnam on June 10.
Credit Photo : HongZheng Lim/SNE-Photo
