The Malaysia Experiment - WCQ Final Stage Kicks Off!

"Setbacks motivate me." - Lindsey Vonn

I've had a good 3 months break. It's time to start working again. I'm been slacking and haven't been attending Malaysian Super Leauge or Premier League matches. Johor DT lost out to Bali United in the Asean Zone Final of the Confederation Cup so they miss out on having the chance to retain the trophy.

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If you read about my setup for The Malaysia Experiment, July is the month that means everything to us. The first year has produced regulars for Harimau Malaya such as Gonzalo Gnanalingam (DM), Muhaimin Jamaludin (ST) and Abhishek Pannirselvam (DC), who's won Asian Young Footballer of the Year in 2017. In 2018, we added Mohd Zulkifli Mazlan (DC), Muhd Syazwan Ismawi (DL), Armuhum Gurusamy Govandar (MC) and most notably Lee Jinxiang (AMR) who also won Asian Young Footballer of the Year. Last year, we had the likes of Yeo Kok Luen (GK) and Iskandar Baresi (DR) that strengthened the team in the weaker areas.

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This year my scouts have so far only presented me with a player - Hassan Mohd Norshaney (DL). He has really good stats, especially his physical and mental stats. At only 16 years old, his future is bright! The only concern is his unambitious personality. My first choice leftback happens to be my star player as well - Ismawi (DL) so that leaves us with a good problem. It's a good thing that both Mohd Norshaney and Ismawi can play on the right of defense.

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We start off our FIFA World Cup Qualifying Final Stage by welcoming Saudi Arabia (74th) to Bukit Jalil Stadium aka 'tiger's den'. *RaaAAWWRRR!

I'm keeping the same formation, 4-1-4-1 DM Asymmetric AM (L), but with some changes to the personnel. Mohd Norshaney (PJ Rangers) will be playing at leftback while I've slotted Ismawi at rightback, relegating Baresi to the bench.

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We had a nervy start and on the 12th minute, Mohd Norshaney made his first costly mistake. He tried to clear the ball but it cannoned of Saud Al-Saied (MR) and Adnan Al-Tariqi (ST) released a powerful shot from his right foot. With no defenders nearby, the goalkeeper was helpless. We were down by a goal. Not the start I imagined to our campaign.

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Luckily within 30 seconds of the restart, Hafiz Azman (AMC) received a pass from Gnanalingam and I had no idea what was going on in his mind when he attempted a shot from outside the penalty area. He was about to get an earful from me, but somehow it resulted in a goal. We're back on level terms! 1-1!

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5 minutes from the halftime whistle, we were awarded a freekick in their half. Azman again received the ball outside of the penalty box but I'm glad he didn't attempt another long shot. This time he sent a through pass to Jamaludin, who was played onside by Thamir Awagi, and he chipped the ball towards goal. Musaeid Al-Ghafinah (GK) tried but save it but his effort was in vain. We managed a comeback within the first half!

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At halftime, I reminded the boys to keep up the pressure as a narrow one-goal lead can be easily lost. In other matches, South Korea (40th) is surprisingly losing to Qatar (69th) by a goal.

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In the 65th minute, Mukhtar Hadidi (ST) went crazy. When Gnanalingam Johor DT's was receiving a pass from Jamaludin (Johor DT), he went for a high tackle from behind! I was screaming for a foul and the referee duly brought out the red card and sent him off. I was glad that Gnanalingam came out of it unscathed as I wouldn't want any more confrontations with Ulisses Morais.

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It's a pity we couldn't capitalize on the extra man in the last 25 minutes. I hope there won't come a day where we regret that we didn't take advantage of increasing the goal difference in this match. I was pretty disappointed with Mohd Norshaney's performance and I guess he was overawed by the occasion. Azman (8.6) on the other hand won the man of the match award with his first international goal and an assist to his name as well!

We'll be heading to Kobe for a familiar foe in the form of the Blue Samurai. They easily dismantled Uzbekistan (35th) 2-0. Our defense really needs some work. :/

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The Malaysia Experiment - Settling Some Beef in Kobe

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