Pau Marti Vicente, head coach of Malaysia national team has described the national team’s 4-0 defeat to New Zealand as a valuable learning experience, emphasizing the importance of the lessons gained in preparation for future international fixtures.
The friendly match, held at North Harbour Stadium in Auckland, marked the first encounter between the two sides since 2006. Despite a resilient first-half performance, Malaysia ultimately succumbed to four second-half goals from the All Whites.
Facing off against Darren Bazeley’s New Zealand side, the Malayan Tigers held firm throughout the opening half, effectively stifling their opponents. However, a major setback came early in the game when striker Darren Lok was forced off with an injury just 13 minutes into the match, replaced by Akhyar Rashid.
The second half, however, saw New Zealand’s attacking prowess on full display. Elijah Just opened the scoring in the 54th minute, followed by a strike from Matt Garbett just eight minutes later. New Zealand’s star striker Chris Wood added a third with a well-placed header before Logan Rogerson sealed the victory with a fourth goal, capping off a dominant performance by the home side.
Despite the defeat, Pau Marti remained optimistic, focusing on the positives his team could take away from the match. He acknowledged the challenge posed by facing a physically and tactically superior New Zealand side but stressed that the experience will be beneficial for the Malaysian squad as they look to improve.
“Yes, I think everything is positive. The idea of coming here, spending a few days together, playing as a team, and facing strong opponents like this will help us grow,” Marti said in a post-match interview shared by the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM).
“It is difficult to face an opponent like this, but for us, it is a challenge, and we will learn from it.”
Marti also highlighted that the game provided an opportunity for some of Malaysia’s younger players to gain valuable international experience. Promising talents like Harith Haiqal, Nooa Laine, and Arif Aiman featured in the lineup, with Arif Aiman offering Malaysia’s best chance of the match with a shot that was well-saved by the New Zealand goalkeeper.
“It is a challenge for us, but we will learn from it and come back stronger,” Marti concluded, emphasizing his belief in the team’s ability to grow from this defeat.
Credit Photo : FAM
