Malaysia U22 national team finished off with a beautiful performance after beating Singapore U22 national team with a score of 7-0 in Men’s Football SEA Games 2023 group stage, Group B at the Prince Stadium, Phnom Penh.
Striker, T Saravanan became the player who stole the spotlight when he scored four goals in the action, thus becoming the top scorer for the country in this campaign.
In the action involved, Malaysia dominated most of the first half but the bar and less attempts saved Singapore from being a ‘side dish’ in the first 45 minutes.
It only took 13 minutes for Malaysia to open the scoring when Saravanan’s curling attempt beat Singapore goalkeeper Aidil Yazid.
Malaysia should have got a second goal in the 40th minute but Syahir Bashah’s goal was disallowed for offside before Mukhairi Ajmal Mahadi’s ‘rocket’ shot in the 43rd minute also hit the crossbar.
However, Haqimi Azim’s neat finish in extra time of the first half ensured that Malaysia headed to the dressing room with a two-goal advantage.
A mistake by Singapore’s defense that failed to clear the ball well was punished by Saravanan just two minutes after play resumed and the KL City FC player completed his hat-trick in the 54th minute to make it 4-0.
Not enough with a hat-trick, Saravanan continued to present a ‘nightmare’ for Singapore when he scored his fourth personal goal in the 62nd minute.
Singapore continued to suffer when Mukhairi Ajmal’s quick shot in the 87th minute and Aiman Afif Md Afizul’s attempt at the end of the game made the score 7-0.
Credit Photo : FAM