Malaysia vs Cambodia: That awkward moment when satisfaction dissolves frustration

This should have been our spirit against the Cambodians earlier today

I can’t believe that I’m writing a rant of a team that just won 4-1 but yes. It brought back vivid images of Spain’s loss to England last night. It also showed us how complacency could kill a motive. Indeed Malaysia scored 4 goals against the Cambodians, but by no means should it be accepted as an impressive victory.

Spain were in absolute control mode yesterday but yet, possession football accounts to nothing if there isn’t that piece of elegance in the final third. Probably that concept has to be altered a bit, because we did score four but nevertheless, it could have been way more. The Cambodians were way to sloppy in the first half and defended for most of the time. Malaysians dictated possession. Literally, dictated it because at one point it was 73% possession to the Malayan Tigers.

But yet the same old story came into the context. How many times have we heard pundits lambasting our ineffectiveness in the final third. Too many times that it has become a cliche’. First half, we started sensationally with portrayal of the similar confidence that they displayed in the previous match against Thailand, becoming imminent. I mean, Yong’s cross in for Izzaq Faris’ opening goal was a perfect inch ball, and i was certain that he was about to embark on a match that would advocate his bid to stake a regular place in the side. I was that confident. The Cambodians were chasing shadows. But perhaps I was wrong.

Sometimes I do wonder, does scoring an early goal really help? Probably it stimulates over-confidence? Or maybe it asserts a team’s position in the game? It was a 50-50 idea but I certainly believe the Malaysians slowed down the tempo after the first goal. 17 year-old Nazmi Faiz was a revelation to watch in midfield, with his sudden burst runs in midfield. Baddrol was once again dominant over there. But again, my focus was perhaps more on Yong and frankly, I was crestfallen.

During an attack in football, regardless of the pace, we pass and run ahead. We pick someone out and move ahead to find an empty space. 90 minutes of football and a player would probably hold the ball for less than 8-9 minutes each. So what you do off the ball plays an essential part. Pass and move is the key but for us, it was to no avail because there wasn’t a realistic and dependable outlet except for Izzaq Faris upfront. We weren’t dominant enough on the wings, where we could have really exploited the Cambodians.

Three goals in first half was perhaps filled with mixed feelings. Yes we dominated proceedings, but nothing much on the final third where it mattered the most. But I expected a much better showing in the second half, and clearly everyone expected it too for the amount of control we had. But then again, the second half brought back reminisence of the Vietnam War.

Too glorified? I believe no. The Vietcongs were a pain in the butt for the Americans during the war. Passiona and determination proved that talent can sometime be discounted for. They fought a guerilla war, which literally meant, win at any cost.

We had control, we had the talent and we certainly had the better reputation. But yet the Cambodians showed incredible resilience in the second half. Okay taking off Izzaq was probably a mistake considering Thamil Arasu’s “Torres-like” cameo for us but again, we never showed intensity while recovering from defence to attack. Overconfidence or complacency, it all means the same and yes, we never really looked like a side that fought like heroes against the mighty Thais a few days earlier.

While it was a satisfying result, Malaysia were nothing more than average tonight. Probably, I have around 500 words of dissatisfaction above but per contra, the 3-points and the fact that we can be better than this dilutes my emotions. Indonesia come next on our list and with the backing of home fans, we can ill-afford a repeat of today’s performance. Thailand was our testament but Cambodia has spoiled the party. It’s up to the Young Tigers to seal their fate against Indonesia. It’s either they battle as a team, or they become the masters of their own downfall.