Taiwan midfielder Chen Po-liang scored from close range with 14 minutes left on the clock at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur, on Wednesday to hand the visitors a precious away goal in their 2014 World Cup qualifier first-leg 2-1 defeat to Malaysia.
That sets up a potentially thrilling second-leg tie at the Taipei Municipal Stadium at 7pm on Sunday, with Taiwan knowing that a 1-0 win would see them progress to the next round and a two-legged tie against Singapore.
Taiwan coach Lo Chih-tsung said his team would play more offense in the return leg.
Photo: AFP
“We came here to get an away goal. We have accomplished our mission. Taiwan will play attacking football in the return leg,” Lo told the New Straits Times.
Malaysia skipper Safiq Rahim was the star for the hosts, scoring one goal and creating another in their 2-1 victory.
Taiwan’s best chance of the first half came in the 12th minute, when a curling free-kick by midfielder Lo Chih-an found striker Chang Han, whose close-range shot was saved by the Malaysia goalkeeper.
Photo: AFP
Safiq scored the opening goal in the 28th minute, the midfielder pouncing on a loose ball and curling home a shot from the right side.
The hosts extended their lead in the 54th minute, when Safiq sent over a corner and Aidil Zafuan Abdul Radzak outjumped two defenders to nod home.
Malaysia were heading for a comfortable victory, but the visitors silenced the stadium in the 75th minute, when Chen’s shot from just inside the box was enough to beat the goalkeeper.
Malaysia, the current Southeast Asian champions, are trying to reach the second round of qualifying for the first time, having fallen at the first hurdle 10 times since their inaugural campaign in 1974.
Malaysia coach K. Rajagobal was unhappy with his players’ performance.
“We failed to maintain our tempo after taking a 2-0 lead. Our defense allowed Taiwan to hit back with a soft goal. It is going to be tough in the return leg as Taiwan will definitely be more offensive,” Rajagobal told the New Straits Times.
Rajagobal said that striker Mohammed Safee Sali would not play in the return leg.
“He suffered a hard knock in the first half. I don’t think he can recover in time. We face a difficult situation, as I will need to reshuffle my strike force, with Norshahrul [Idlan Talaha] still recovering from injury,” he said.
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