KUALA LUMPUR - Two goals apiece from Mohamed Omar and Ismael Matar helped the United Arab Emirates outclass Malaysia 5-0 in their 2011 AFC Asian Cup qualification opener.
The side from the Middle East gained the upper hand with two goals in the first-half of the Group C game at Kuala Lumpur Stadium in Cheras before adding three more after the break.
With captain Shukor Adan missing due to a knee injury, the Malaysians were forced into a tactical reshuffle which saw Indra Putra and Hardi Jaafar linking up in the centre of the park.
But it was the UAE who proved the more composed on the night and Abdul Salam Al Junaibi fired an early warning of what was to come for the home side with an attempt that hit the woodwork in the 16th minute.
Malaysia struggled to impose themselves on the game and it was no surprise that the UAE took the lead after 29 minutes.
Al Junaibi’s through ball picked out Omar and the striker coolly slotted the ball past onrushing keeper Syamsuri Mustafa, who was making his return to the national side after an absence of more than two years.
The Malaysians pushed forward in search of an equaliser but suffered a further setback just before the interval when Hardi brought down Ismael Salim inside the box and Omar converted from the spot.
Malaysia brought on Hairuddin Omar and Ashaari Jamaluddin after the break but there was no let-up from the visitors and they extended their lead after 62 minutes.
Abdul Rahim Jumaa was allowed to deliver a cross from the right that picked out Matar and the prolific striker volleyed home his side’s third goal.
Malaysia coach B. Sathianathan brought on substitute keeper Syed Adney Syed Hussain for Syamsuri but the change did nothing to prevent the UAE from adding to their advantage.
Matar made it 4-0 in the 75th minute when he dribbled past defenders V. Thirumurugan and Norhafiz Zamani Misbah before slotting the ball home.
Syed Adney was then beaten for the second time in the game with five minutes to go as Ahmad Khalil capitalised on a defensive error to score UAE’s fifth goal from close range and complete the rout.
news courtesy of AFC
taken from sportsmalaysia.net
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