Football
Gabriel Tan 9y

10-man Malaysia hold on for Suzuki Cup draw against Myanmar

2010 champions Malaysia produced a battling display to hold Myanmar to a 0-0 draw in their 2014 AFF Suzuki Cup Group B opener at Singapore's Jalan Besar Stadium, despite playing almost an hour with 10 men.

After a bright start to the game, which saw them have an Amri Yahyah strike after six minutes chalked off for offside, Harimau Malaya were dealt a blow in the 35th minute when Gary Robbat was sent off for a second bookable offence.

However, they managed to keep Myanmar at bay for the remainder of the contest to claim a point that could just prove vital come the end of the group stages.

Speaking after the match, Malaysia coach Dollah Salleh was full of praise for his side after a disciplined and determined display.

"Including our last two friendlies, it's the third time we've had to play a game with ten men," he lamented.

"But today, I'm very proud of the players -- they gave 100 per cent and we managed to get the draw.

"Every player was motivated and disciplined in defending and we did try to hit Myanmar on the counterattack, although that was perhaps the only part of our game that was still a little sluggish."

After Yahyah's disallowed goal, Myanmar did start to get into the game but failed to make their chances count. Nanda Lin Kyaw Chit sent an easy header over before Min Min Thu had a couple of long-range efforts saved by Malaysia goalkeeper Khairul Fahmi.

The turning point of the game came in the 35th minute when Robbat, already on a yellow, tripped Kyi Lin from behind and was issued his marching orders.

Even so, they looked dangerous from set-pieces and had the better chances in the closing stages of the first half as Amri Yahyah and Mahali Jasuli forced Thiha Sithu into smart saves from free-kicks.

Despite the numerical deficit, Dollah's charges continued to threaten on the counter in the second half. They had two legitimate penalty shouts turned down when S. Kunanlan and Norshahrul Idlan Talaha were both felled inside the area by clumsy challenges.

Nonetheless, as the game wore on, Myanmar looked the likelier of the two sides to find the breakthrough. But they were just unable to find a way past Fahmi, who made a series of fine stops to deny Min Min Thu, Nanda Lin Kyaw Chit and Kyaw Ko Ko to earn Malaysia a share of the spoils.

Although he admitted his side could have made more of their greater possession, Myanmar coach Radojko Avramovic -- a three-time AFF winner with Singapore -- was satisfied with their start to the tournament.

"I'm mostly happy with how the players performed," the Serbian said. "Perhaps the only part I can be disappointed in was how we were not cool and clinical in the box.

"The players could have made better choices in those situations but for us, any positive result is a good result.

"At least we played a good game today and I hope it can continue."

Myanmar will face Avramovic's former team, Singapore on Wednesday while Malaysia face Thailand on the same day.

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