World Cup 2014: ASIA Qualifier 1st round, 1st leg

Malaysia won 2-1 beating Chinese Taipei for the World Cup 2014 Asia Qualifying (1st round). The return leg will be played away on the 3rd of July 2011.

It was a good start for the young Tigers for their World Cup quest but Chinese Taipei will still be happy because they have an away goal advantage. A 1-0 win will be enough for them to proceed to the 2nd round which will be played sometime next month.

Malaysia showed their intent right from the start but it was the visitors who looked more dangerous with their long shots towards the Malaysian goal. With a few familiar faces missing, notably striker Norshahrul Idlan Talaha, strike partner Safee Sali, who had a good debut season in the Indonesian League was being paired by another talented player in Badrol Bakhtiar.

Both team played a fast flowing football trying to score an early goal. The Malaysians however, fresh from their success in the AFF Suzuki Cup, grooved into the game earlier when coach K Rajagopal made an early substitution. They took the lead through captain Safiq Rahim with a beautiful first time shot just outside the box. And moments later they got their 2nd goal through defender Aidil Zafuan from a corner taken by the Malaysia captain.

The host went into the dressing room with a 2-0 lead at half time. Star striker Safee was replaced in the second half and the Malaysians continue to attack the visitors goal.

15 minutes before the game ended, Chinese Taipei managed to score 1 goal making it 2-1. The Malaysians however refused to be satisfied with the score and tried to add more but to no avail the score stayed as it is until the final whistle.

I am sure the Malaysian fans will have loads of comments about the just concluded game. Yes, it is true that we should have win 2-0 or maybe 3-0. The goal conceded was not suppose to happened if the players didn't let their guard down.

Credit to the Chinese Taipei's players for keep on trying to get a goal but it was an avoidable goal.

I see a few positives from the squad. Firstly the players didn't look happy when the final whistle was blown. This is good because they are all well aware of the situation. Chinese Taipei will have a slight chance to proceed to the next round because they have got the crucial away goal.

Secondly, the players tried to score the 3rd goal until the final whistle. The only reason why the goal didn't came was due to their in-experienced. If they keep on their focus and played a much slower tempo while keeping possession, it might have turn out differently.

Thirdly, I can see that these crop of players are really playing their hearts out. There are still lots of things that these players need to learn. AFF Suzuki Cup is a different ball game. This is the World Cup Qualifying. K Rajagopal might have made some crucial decisions by not fielding defender Muslim Ahmad, keeper Khairul Fahmi and striker Norshahrul. Even taking out the ineffective Safee might be crucial for the return leg.

I'm convinced that the boys will win on Sunday. They just need to keep their focus. What ever it is .. we the fans have to keep on supporting the boys. Go Harimau Malaya !!