Malaysia's Under-23 squad coached by Datuk Ong Kim Swee wasted no time in going after the Laos goal and were duly rewarded when Ahmad Hazwan Bakri scored as early as the sixth minute from an attack on the right.
Laos then went all out to score the equaliser but Malaysia's backline with K. Reuben and Nazirul Naim Che Hashim leading the defence were difficult to break.
However, Malaysia still had the upperhand over the Laos players and team captain Mohd Irfan Fazail came close to extending the lead in the 35th minute but his shot went over the bar.
In the 41st minute, a back header by Ruben on a free kick taken by Souk Aphone Vongchiengkham proved costly when it sailed into Malaysia's net.
In the second half, Malaysia under pressure as the defending champions sought to make amends and were all over Laos keeper Soukthavy Soundala in trying to bring in the goals.
Then in the 60th minute, Ahmad Hazwan netted home Malaysia's second from a cross supplied by Mohd Irfan.
It was the death knell for the Laotians who then went into disarray causing one of their players Ketsada Souksavanh having the misfortune of scoring an own goal in the 80th minute.
Ahmad Hazwan was the big hero of the afternoon when he scored a hattrick with his third goal coming in the 86th minute.
The match was witnessed by Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin Abu Bakar and National Sports Council director-general Datuk Seri Zolkples Embong.
Malaysia however can expect a tough fight when they meet Singapore next on Sunday.
Speaking to reporters later, Ong said he was satisfied with the performance of the players particularly in the second half which saw them fully focused on the task.
"It was all important that were secured three full points today," he said.
He praised Ahmad Hazwan for his sterling performance and hoped it would serve as an inspiration to the other players.
He added that he did not want to pre-empt the team's journey forward and that they would take it one match at a time.
Ahmad Muliady Abdul Majid
bernama.com
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Posted By Blogger to Journal SEA GAMES at 12/14/2013 10:28:00 AM
