INCHEON: Malaysia stayed alive in the Asian Games football competition after thumping Laos 4-0 in their second Group A match at the Ansan Wa Stadium on Wednesday.Malaysia needed a win to keep their hopes of making the last 16 after losing their opening match 3-0 to hosts South Korea on Sunday.
And goals from skipper Mohd Aidil Zafuan Abdul Razak (12th minute), striker Mohd Norfarhan Mohd (75th), left winger Fandi Othman (78th) and Mohd Ferris Danial (81st) gave the Malaysian the much needed win.
Centerback Aidil got the ball rolling after heading in Fandi’s freekick in the 12th minute but Malaysia struggled to find a second goal against the plucky Laotians.
In fact Laos looked much more dangerous with their counter-attacking moves but they lacked the bite upfront.
it took until the 75th minutes for Laos’ backline to finally crumble after Norfarhan bundled the ball in for Malaysia’s second goal following midfielder Gary Steven Robbat’s low cross.
Three minutes later Fandi capped off a one-two move with Norfarhan to score Malaysia’s third goal before Ferris completed the rout with a well placed shot against Laos goalkeepr Saynakhonvieng Phommapanya nine minutes from time.
Malaysia will next take on Saudi Arabia in their final Group A match at the Goyang Stadium on Sunday in a must-win match - The Star online