Fight mars Malaysians romp over Cambodians

BACOLOD — Malaysia, a team aching to end a 16-year gold-medal drought, blasted lowly Cambodia, 5-0, in a fight-marred game in Day 2 of the 23rd SEA Games men’s football competition at the Panaad Sports Complex here last night.

The Malaysian booters came out bristling in their first outing under new coach Norizan Bin Bakar and totally dominated the Cambodians for a rousing debut in the Bacolod meet.

Not even the ouster of forward Rudie Bin Ramli at the onset of the final half due to a red card infraction could stop the Malaysians from completing the rout that spoke well of their determined bid to win their first title since ruling the Games at home turf in 1989.

A fight between Malaysian Mohd Fadzil Bin Shaari and Cambodia’s Om Thavrak that nearly escalated into a full-blown riot in the 20th minute seemed to have fired up the Malaysians even more.

The fight erupted in full view of Cambodian Prince Norodom Buddhapong who was in the VIP booth.

The team is playing under a new coach in Bin Bakar since the Malaysian Football Federation fired Hungarian coach Bertalan Bieskei following the team’s 0-7 blowout by Thailand in the pre-SEAG tourney in Bangkok last September.

They settled for third place in that tourney — the same finish they had in the last SEA Games in Vietnam in 2003.

The Malaysians knocked in three goals in the first half and added two more in the second half despite playing minus Ramli.

Surendren Rasiah scored on a header on an assist by Thirumurugan Veeran in the 10th minute to start the romp.

Zairo Anuar Bin Salani then followed it up with a thunderous looper from 20 yards that curled past Cambodian goalie Ouk Mic in the 40th minute.

The Malaysians made it 3-0 by halftime with Ramli outfoxing Thavrak in a virtual one-on-one play inside the box just before the first half ended.