Malaysia Breeze Past Laos 4-0

From Zuriati Zulmi INCHEON (South Korea), Sept 18 (Bernama) -- Malaysia collected all three full points on Wednesday after beating Laos 4-0 in the second group A match held at Ansan Wa Stadium, here. The national under-23 football team dominated play from the start forcing Laos to pack the penalty area to stop Malaysia from scoring. Malaysia got a break when a free kick taken by Mohammad Fandi Othman was nodded home by Mohamad Aidil Zafuan Abdul Razak in the 12th minute. The goal forced Laos to attack and came close in the 35th minute when Vilayout Sayyabounsou's effort was pushed out by goalkeeper Mohd Farhan Abu Bakar. Malaysia's second goal was scored by Mohd Nor Farhan in the 75th minute when his header met a fine cross from substitute Gary Steven Robbat. Mohd Nor Farhan turned creator three minutes later when his 'backheel' was finished by Mohamad Fandi Othman for Malaysia's third goal. The fourth goal came in the 81st when Muhammad Ferris Danial Mat Nasir met a goal kick from goalkeeper Mohd Farhan and swept past Soukthavy Soundala in the Laos goal. Malaysia will face Saudi Arabia while South Korea will play Laos in the final group matches on Sept 21. The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) expects the Under 23 squad of coach Ong Kim Swee to reach the quarter-finals. A total of 32 teams are divided into eight groups with the top two teams from each group advancing to the second round (last 16). For the record, Malaysia's best showing at the Asian Games was winning the bronze medal in 1962 (Jakarta) and 1974 (Tehran). --BERNAMA