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.
After letting another big lead slip with an error-strewn performance at the French Open on Wednesday, top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka felt like getting as far away from the courts as possible. “Just want to quit tennis right now,” Sabalenka said after wasting a lead of a set and two breaks in a 3-6, 7-5, 6-0 loss to Diana Shnaider in the women’s singles quarter-finals. “We’ll see in few days. Hopefully I’ll get back on track mentally.” Sabalenka’s wait for a first French Open title continues despite the four-time major winner leading 4-1 in the second set and being two points from victory while
BIG NAMES GONE: Zverev is the clear favorite for a maiden Grand Slam title, reaching semi-finals for the fifth time in six years and finishing second on three occasions Alexander Zverev on Tuesday breezed past Rafael Jodar to stay on course for an elusive Grand Slam title at the French Open, while Jakub Mensik halted Joao Fonseca’s scintillating run in the quarter-finals. Zverev, the highest-ranked player left in the men’s draw, put an end to Spanish teenager Jodar’s impressive Roland Garros debut, easing into the semi-finals with a 7-6, (7/3), 6-1, 6-3 win. The 29-year-old Zverev is the clear favorite for a maiden Grand Slam title. He has finished runner-up on three occasions, including at the 2024 French Open. “I want to win the matches that are ahead of
Liverpool are in advanced talks with former AFC Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola as they seek a replacement for Arne Slot, reports said on Tuesday. Iraola has emerged as Liverpool’s top target to replace Slot, who was sacked on Saturday last week after a turbulent second season in charge. Liverpool have reportedly agreed a deal in principle to bring the Spaniard, who left Bournemouth at the end of this season, to Anfield. Sporting director Richard Hughes was heavily involved in hiring Iraola during his time at Bournemouth and is again spearheading the recruitment of the highly rated coach. The Reds are
KNICKS TAKE LEAD: San Antonio put on a 9-0 run to be up 95-94 with just over 2 minutes to play, but the rest of the game belonged to the New York Knicks It was past five minutes through the third quarter of Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Wednesday and the New York Knicks’ 11-game winning streak was in major jeopardy. The Knicks missed nine of their first 10 shots in the early part of the period and trailed the San Antonio Spurs by 14 points. They were floundering. Then something crazy happened. The Knicks found new life from an unlikely source: The Spurs. New York rallied to tie the game by the end of the period, gave up the lead briefly late in the fourth quarter, and pulled away late for a 105-95
RSS