Malaysia U22 national team out from group stage round after losing to Vietnam U22 national team with a score of 1-2 in the Men’s Football in SEA Games 2023 Group Stage, Group B at the Prince Stadium, Phnom Penh.
Malaysia which came down with the mission of having to win, faced unfavorable seconds at the start of the game when Vietnam was given a penalty kick after the ball hit Harith Haiqal Adam Afkar’s hands.
Sikh Izhan goalkeeper Malaysia can saved Nguyen Van Tung’s spot-kick but the Vietnam forward still managed to make another move to put his men in front in the seventh minute.
Malaysia was penalized again in the 33rd minute when Van Tung managed to head in Vo Minh Trong’s ball to cement the Vietnam position.
However, this did not kill the enthusiasm of the Malaysia players to get up and their efforts were successful when Aiman Afif Md Afizul managed to score the country’s first goal after Vietnam’s goalkeeper Quan Van Chuan failed to catch Alif Izwan Yuslan’s free ball box during the first half action with two minutes left.
When the country’s squad tried to recover by showing better action throughout the second half, it was unfortunate once again to befall them when forced to play with nine players after Safwan Mazlan was sent a red card in the 79th minute before the same fate befell Najmudin Akmal Kamal Akmal, three minutes later.
The incident was seen as if it closed the opportunity for Elavarasan’s men to at least get one point and turn on the opportunity to reach the semi-finals.
The defeat saw the nation’s squad stay in third place with three points after three games and will complete the group’s final action against Singapore at the same venue this Thursday.
Credit Photo : CPL
