The Malaysia Experiment - WCQ Group 4 | Top of the Table Clash!

"A good start is half the battle" - Plato

Here we are, reaching the midway point of what I would say a pretty successful start to the FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign! It all started with an upset over Iraq, then continued on with the defeat of Macau (China PR) and Singapore. Now we're just left with Lebanon (105th) who is sitting second on the table with 7 points. We'll be playing at home and I hope the fans turn up to make Bukit Jalil Stadium a fortress. Let's make it 4 wins out of 4 to maintain this perfect run!

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Lebanon will be playing the same since we last met a few months ago. That match ended in a 1-1 draw Raymond Fattal scoring a goal against us. He's playing again this time and I hope my centre backs can contain him.

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In the 24th minute, Lee Jinxiang (I still have no idea why the press and certain managers, namely Yusri Che Lah of Kelantan and Raja Akram Shah of Terengganu II, always questions his call-up) did some good work on the right and sent in a cross. It was slightly overshot and Mohammad Khalifeh (MC) headed to ball out. Unfortunately, it fell to Gonzalo Gnanalingam of all people, and he lashed a bullet shot from long range. The next thing we knew, the ball was in the net. In spectacular fashion, we were up 1-0!

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I've decided to still apply pressure on their defense and we were rewarded 10 minutes later. After receiving a pass from Ibrahim Ismail (MC), Muhaimin Jamaludin (ST) played a one-two with Luqman Hussain (AML). He then tried a shot and it bounces off Joan Oumari's (DC) leg. Lee Jinxiang (AMR) was quickest to the rebound and he shot at an angle. Sami Itani (GK) made a weak save and the ball trickled into the goal. Our right winger just doubled our lead! :)

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The first half was pretty even in terms of possessions but we seriously threatened their goal, 6 shots to 1 shot! There's no surprise in the other match as Iraq is leading Macau 2-0. Now we just need to keep up the defensive work and secure the win.

We controlled the match in the second half and they didn't manage to had a shot on target. Saddam El-Hafedz Shahri had little to do in goal.

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We reach the midway point of the campaign with a perfect record, maximum points and no goals conceded! We have the stingiest defense and the best tackles won ratios among all teams.

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We then head down under to face the Socceroos (61st). We're actually just 10 places apart but they have some quality players in their squad including Matthew Ryan (GK), Aaron Mooy (MC) and Tom Rogic (AMC).

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I field a very young squad, with an average age of 18 years old, and the inexperience showed. The info sheet also showed interesting data that their average weight is 11kgs more than us. By halftime, they were 2-0 up, but I'm really treating this as a friendly match and nothing more. I made wholesale changes as well so everyone got to play during this international call-up.

Mooy played a heck of a game a dominated the center of the pitch, making 8 key passes and creating 4 chances! He scored a stunning freekick as well and thoroughly deserves the man of the match award. I reminded our boys not to hang their heads down low as the Australians were stiff competition. I look forward to meeting them again in a month's time, to face Iraq and Lebanon as start the second half of our campaign.

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The Malaysia Experiment - Middle East Endeavors

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