# Malaysia beat Laos 3-1 in a friendly in Bangkok
# Safee Sali muffs a penalty but Christie Jayaseelan hits a brace
# Timely boost to face Timor Leste in World Cup qualifier
# ‘Good win for us’ – Kim Swee
The national football team put their woes aside to carve out a 3-1 win over Laos in a friendly match at the Thai Army Stadium in Bangkok on Thursday – Malaysia’s first win this year.
At a time when Malaysian football is at all time low the Malaysians rode on a brace by Christie Jayaseelan and one by Azamuddin Akil for the win – which is timely as Malaysia prepare to face Timor Lester in a Group A qualifying round match in Dili on Tuesday.
Christie got his first in the 50th minute with a close range shot. He then got his second which was in injury time with a solo effort. In between Pahang striker Azamuddin Akil had a bit of footballing luck with him when his attempt at the Laos goal took a deflection off a Laos defender before hitting the back of the net.
Malaysia muffed a penalty when Safee Sali sent his spot kick wide. However, Laos made it count from their penalty in the 82nd minute when Sitthideth Khanthavong was on target.
Caretaker coach Datuk Ong Kim Swee was more than happy with the win as it will stand in good stead for the team for this Tuesday’s Group A World Cup qualifier against Timor Leste.
“Malaysia did not register a win this year and the 3-1 win over Laos means a lot to us. It has given the players the confidence and it would not have come at a better time before we face Timor Leste in the World Cup qualifier,” said Kim Swee at a post match press conference.
Malaysia are ranked 171 in the Fifa ranking list while Laos are ranked 179.
Credit to Kim Swee and the team for their win against Laos at a time when Malaysian football is at the receiving end from all angles.
The FA of Malaysia (FAM) have been slapped with a 40,000 Swiss franc (RM180,000) fine slapped by Fifa on Malaysia for crowd trouble in the World Cup qualifier against Saudi Arabia at Shah Alam Stadium on Sept 8.
Saudi Arabia were also given a 3-0 win in the abandoned match at Shah Alam, The Saudis were leading 2-1 when the match was abandoned in the 88th minute.
Malaysia’s next home match in the World Cup qualifier – which is against United Arab Emirates on Nov 17 must be played behind closed doors.
In the wake of this the Sports Commissioner is contemplating further action with the threat of a ban hanging on the national football body.
On top of that Kim Swee is not sure if his existing contract with the FAM will be renewed or otherwise. The FAM is hell bent on getting a foreign coach.
Kim Swee has already made it clear that he is keen to take up the job as the national football coach. However, FAM deputy president Datuk Mokhtar Ahmad said Kim Swee should at least send an official letter that he is interested in the job.
The former international believes that he should be judged on merit and made an offer to be the next national football coach.
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