Malaysia get second victory against Zimbabwe in United match build-up

NATIONAL coach K. Rajagobal got a clearer picture of the side he is likely to field against Manchester United this weekend after the national team grafted a 1-0 win over Zimbabwe in a friendly international at the Shah Alam Stadium yesterday.

Kedah right back V. Thirumurugan scored his first international goal when he sprinted through a static Zimbabwe defence before calmly slotting the ball past goalkeeper Godfrey Mangove in the 39th minute.

The win followed Malaysia’s 4-0 trouncing of the visitors on Sunday as Rajagobal gave almost his entire squad a run out in the second friendly against their southern African opponents.

Rajagobal made three changes to the side that started the first match as striker Norshahrul Idlan Talaha, Khyril Muhymeen Zambri and Thirumurugan replaced the injured Zaquan Adha Radzak, S. Kunanlan and Mazlizam Mohamad.

The competition for places in the starting lineup against English Premier League champions United on Saturday is expected to be fierce as intensity during training increases as the match gets nearer..

“I have a first 11 in my mind which will start against United but what I want to see between now and then is the players’ attitude in training.

“They must show me that they want to play and are eager to face United. Certain players disappointed me today (yesterday) but I’m not going to name them and I’ll have a talk with them later,” said Rajagobal during the post-match press conference yesterday.

Malaysia dominated possession against Zimbabwe, who tightened their back line to deny the national side many chances that they had on Sunday.

Kunanlan’s absence took a bit of sting out of the Malaysian attack as Khyril did not make use of the space down the right well enough with Norshahrul and Amri Yahyah starved of chances.

But while the build-up play was good, Malaysia lacked the killer instinct to put away the chances that came their way.

Rajagobal substituted every player in the second half to give everyone a chance to impress.

“We were sluggish and slow in the first 20 minutes and I expected Zimbabwe to come at us and put up a better show after their disappointment on Sunday.

“I told them they needed to be aggressive and I was happy with the circulation of the ball and the movements off the ball. We continued to create chances but we need to finish them off and put it in the back of the net,” said Rajagobal.

Zimbabwe assistant coach Tauray Mangwiro had only praise for the home side and believes the national team will not be embarrassed by United.

“I think they are good team, one which is very young and they played well to beat us. I think they will do well against United,” said Mangwiro, who attributed the scoreline in the first match to the effects of travelling.

The Zimbabweans were represented by their 2008 league champions Monomotapa United, who are using the series of friendly matches as preparation to face Tunisian side Etoile du Sahel in a CAF Champions League tie.