image: http://www.thestar.com.my/~/media/online/2017/08/16/15/07/x2gg2058.ashx/?w=620&h=413&crop=1&hash=E026F694DB0A694751513B0C277E49AB3F03DF5C
Nor Azam jumps in joy after scoring against Singapore during their Group A match of the Kuala Lumpur SEA Games at the Shah Alam Stadium. GLENN GUAN/The Star
SHAH ALAM: Two inspired substitutions from Datuk Ong Kim Swee made the difference as Malaysia completed a 2-1 comeback win over bitter rivals Singapore in their second 2017 Kuala Lumpur SEA Games Group A match at the Shah Alam Stadium.
Last night, Singapore took a shock lead through midfielder Amiruldin Mohd Nodin in the 37th minute but second half substitutes - midfielder Muhd Nor Azam Abdul Azih and striker N. Thanabalan - were on target on the 67th and 73rd minute to chalk up their second win in the competition.
Kim Swee made six changes and shuffled up the line-up which beat Brunei 2-1 in their opening game last Monday.
Goalkeeper Haziq Nadzli, defender Arif Farhan Md Isa, winger Syahmi Safari, striker S. Kumaahran, midfielders Amirul Hisyam Awang Kechik and Syamer Kutty Abba were handed a start ahead of goalkeeper Mohd Ifwat Chek Kassim, left winger Muhd Syazwan Andik Mohd Ishak, midfielders Muhd Daniel Amier Norhisham and Muhd Nor Azam Abdul Azih and strikers Jafri Firdaus Chew and Syafiq Ahmad.
Despite the changes the Malaysians dominated the match but their waves of attacks were denied by the Singapore backline lead by skipper Irfan Fandi Ahmad.
Singapore scored against the run of play after Amiruldin pounced on a lose ball off Syamer and fired a shot outside the box in the 37th minute.
Stung by the goal the Malaysians doubled their effort to get back into the game and striker Safawi Rasid's freekick in the last minute of the added time dissapointingly hit the crossbar.
Kim Swee made two changes before the second half bringing striker N. Thanabalan for Syahmi and midfielder Azam for Amirul. The changes added more urgency to the game and added more bite upfront.
The Singaporeans however kept the waves of Malaysian attacks at bay with their resolute defending.
Midfielder Azam put Malaysia back into the game with his equaliser as he collected a pass from Safawi and rifled it in from the edge of the box past the diving Singapore goalkeeper Muhd Zharfan Rohaizad in the 67th minute.
Bouyed by the equaliser, Malaysia continued pressing and it was substitute Thanabalan's turn to score as he tucked the ball from the close range to make it 2-1 for Malaysia in the 73rd minute.
Kim Swee's men continued to press on to add on the goal tally but their own wastefulness saw the match end with a 2-1 win.
Malaysia will next take on Myanmar at the Shah Alam Stadium on Monday.
Read more at http://www.thestar.com.my/sport/football/2017/08/16/sea-games-malaysia-substitutes-make-it/#cI58IYCsWpkLGTpR.99
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