SHAH ALAM, Aug 17 — SUPER SUBS Nor Azam Abdul Azih and N. Thanabalan gave Malaysia a huge victory over Singapore in their KL2017 football clash yesterday.
A goal each from the second half substitutes gave Malaysia a 2-1 victory to move the host a step closer to the semifinals while the Lions are all but eliminated.
It also gave Malaysia bragging rights for the next couple of days in the first phase of the bitter Malaysia-Singapore rivalry after trouncing the city state 50-37 in netball following a 12-6 loss in women’s water polo.
Victory came despite coach Datuk Ong Kim Swee ...
· Making six changes to his line-up.
· Among those replaced was goalkeeper Ifwat Akmal Chek Kassim with Haziq Nadzli.
Singapore took the lead when Amiruldin Nodin, left unmarked from 25m, curled in a wondrous goal off the post after 37 minutes.
Shah Alam Stadium was silenced.
Harimau Malaya responded by
· Bringing in Nor Azam and Thanabalan for the second half.
· Became more potent down the flanks.
Persistence was rewarded when Safawi Rasid picked out Nor Azam, who rocketed a shot from the edge of the box, beating the goalkeeper at the near post in the 68th minute.
Momentum gathered and six minutes later, Malaysia went ahead with Thanabalan making no mistake from close range.
Football’s inspired comeback capped off a superb day for the hosts as earlier in the day it won the first gold of KL2017 in chinlone.
