The Malaysia Experiment - Consolation Prize
Here we are, ready to fight for third place against Uzbekistan (44th). The stakes aren't as high as the last match. Who celebrates coming in at number 3 anyway?
This match, I got my assistant Tan Cheng Hoe to pick the team. He included Hafiz Azman (AMC) as well as Shakir Roslan (DC). The most interesting selection was Yusof Hashim (16 years old) instead of Saddam El-Hafedz Shahri (23 years old) in goal.
All it took was 3 minutes for them to break the deadlock. Ruslan Jamalov (MR) sent in a cross for Pavel Puryshkin (ST) to head towards goal. Hashim made a weak save and the Pruyshkin was quickest to react to the rebound. He couldn't miss this time and we were down 0-1.
In my heart, I was fearful that this match might turn really ugly for us. If we were to play catch up the whole match, we might be exposed at the back and vulnerable to the counter-attack. We gradually grew into the game, and in the 10th minute, our attacking quartet managed some good link-up play. It freed Luqman Hussain on the left and he only had Jaxongi Niyozov (GK) to beat! Goal! 1-1!
Halftime came and we were still on level terms. My worst performer was Muhd Syazwan Ismawi (LB) that was playing out of position, on the right of defense. I told the boys to keep it up, despite their tired legs.
There was a nervy moment in injury time when we failed to clear a corner and there were actually more Uzbek attackers than Malaysian defenders in the 6-yard box! Boburjon Akbarov (DC) headed the ball to Puryshkin but it was a bit too high for him to control. His volley ended up in the stands. We breathed a sigh of relief.
We managed to keep the score at 1-1 and we're headed to the dreadful extra time. Our boys are seriously worn out as I got the physios to give them some leg massages. There were just too many legs and not enough hands so not everyone got one. :(
I guess the White and Blue was not about to leave it to the luck of the penalties. They attacked us relentlessly. It was their lucky day when the linesman didn't call an offside for Puryshkin when Sirojiddin Raxmatullaev (a familiar name among Malaysian fans as he's played for ATM in 2016-2017) crossed it in. Mohd Zulkifli Mazlan mistimed the offside trap and ultimately paid the price. Roslan tried to cover while Hashim, due to his inexperienced, came out for the ball as well. Among the confusion, Puryshkin jumped up and headed the ball in. 2-1 and we've got no choice but to go on the attack.
In the 103rd minute, when Uzbekistan was still controlling the match, after an interception from Nor Azli Abdul Ghani (LB), the ball eventually fell to Hussain. He spotted that Jamaludin was already starting his run, so he kicked it into space for Jamaludin to chase after. The whole Uzbekistan team was chasing him down and he had to fire his shot from 16 yards before the other defenders close him down. His powerful shot beat the goalkeeper and we scored against the run of play! We came back to draw for the second time in this match!
At the end of extra-time first half, we were really fortunate to still draw, even after Puryshkin scored in extra time. Just take a look at the match stats! 24 shots to 8 shots, 10 on target to 3 on target, 56% possession to 44% possession. The score wasn't a fair reflection on Uzbekistan but it's not that I mind.
We managed to hold down the fort and the referee whistled for the end of 120 minutes of playing time. Penalties here we come! I've still not forgotten it wasn't too long ago that we emerged victorious from a penalty shootout. I've got high hopes for this one as well. If you told me it would come to this at the start of the match, I'd gladly take it with both hands. I sent in my list of penalty takers and we're ready to go!
Sarvar Jumaboev starts things off with a perfectly taken penalty.
Lee Jinxiang tries a shot down the center but Niyozov stood firm to deny him.
Vitaly Denisov then blasts one into the top right corner with his left foot.
Next up is Jamaludin. He kicks it to the left but it was a tame effort and Niyozov could react in time and palm it out.
Odil Ahmedov delivers another penalty with such pace and power. I'm beginning to wonder if they've practiced their penalties.
Mazlan needs to score this to keep us in the game, and he does! A glimmer of hope. Now that we've begun to get our shots in, let's hope to keep theirs out.
Hashim stands in goal as Xoshimbek Raximzoda walks up to take the penalty. He fires it past our goalkeeper and he barely had time to react. The players are running around the pitch. They have won 3rd place!
In the final, South Korea (37th) beat Japan (61st). I personally think that our boys are really heroes, to have reached the semifinal, beating the likes of Iran (58th) and the host, United Arab Emirates (96th). Now I'm off to a well-deserved break!
from where it all started, right up to now.
The Malaysia Experiment - Welcome to Malaysia!
The Malaysia Experiment - Getting to Know the Players
The Malaysia Experiment - Why Wan?
The Malaysia Experiment - My Managerial Debut
The Malaysia Experiment - The First Step
The Malaysia Experiment - First Cut Is The Deepest
The Malaysia Experiment - David vs Goliath
The Malaysia Experiment - A New Malaysia?
The Malaysia Experiment - Here Comes The Doubters
The Malaysia Experiment - Qualification Wrapped Up?
The Malaysia Experiment - See You In United Arab Emirates in 2019!
The Malaysia Experiment - World Cup 2018
The Malaysia Experiment - The U23s are Gold!
The Malaysia Experiment - The Mundane Friendlies
The Malaysia Experiment - AFF Championship Kicks Off!
The Malaysia Experiment - Top of the Table Clash!
The Malaysia Experiment - AFF Championship Group Stages
The Malaysia Experiment - Melayu Derby
The Malaysia Experiment - David vs Goliath
The Malaysia Experiment - Asian Nations Cup | Group F
The Malaysia Experiment - Penalty Drama
The Malaysia Experiment - A Blue Samurai Encounter
hahaha... you are REALLY into this roleplay writing for the Malaysian tigers! If this was real incident I think the whole Malaysia would be like glued to the tv set whenever there is a siaran langsung !
hahaha! I am! actually, I've been a football manager addict since secondary school. that past 15 years I've been just playing the game and watching playthroughs as well as reading fm stories by other players. this is my first attempt at something such as this.
thanks for dropping by to read my 'game-driven fiction'! appreciate much :)
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