Malaysia football team striker Amri Yahyah reacts during the World Cup qualifying match against Palestine at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil on Tuesday. Malaysia lost 6-0. - EPA
KUALA LUMPUR: Be careful of what you wish for!
Malaysia wanted six points from their opening two 2018 World Cup qualifying matches.
But in a cruel twist of fate, what they got instead was a 6-0 thrashing at the hands of Palestine in their second Group A match at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil!
It was a complete disaster for coach Dollah Salleh’s men as Palestine raced into a comfortable 3-0 lead at half time, courtesy of goals by Mussab Battat (ninth), Sameh Maraaba (22nd) and Tamer Seyam (41st).
The Palestinians came back after the breather to add another three goals through Khader Abuhammad (63rd), Sameh (75th) and Tamer (85th) – and Malaysia’s nightmare was complete!
The Malaysian defence stood out like a sore thumb. The Palestinians made them look like novices, especially when two-goal hero Tamer whizzed past three defenders before coolly tucking the ball past goalkeeper Mohd Farizal Marlias for their third goal in the 41st minute.
Malaysia did have a few chances but greenhorn Mohd Afiq Azmi was the culprit, including missing a sitter in the 50th minute.
Malaysia got their campaign off to a stuttering start when they could only manage a 1-1 draw against unheralded Timor Leste side at the same venue last Thursday.
Malaysia’s World Cup qualifying campaign appears to be all over despite having six more matches to play.
The other teams in the Group are Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Judging by Malaysia’s performances in their two opening matches of the competition, which also serves as an Asian Cup qualifier, coach Dollah certainly has his work cut out for him.
In an earlier match at the Shah Alam Stadium, UAE edged Timor Leste 1-0.
The eight group winners and the best four group runners-up will advance to the next round.
