Malaysia lose 1-4 to Tajikistan in International Friendly

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KUALA LUMPUR: Harimau Malaya (Malaysia’s national squad) under coach Dollah Salleh were soundly beaten 1-4 by Tajikistan in an international friendly match at Central Stadium, Dushanbe, Tajikistan, yesterday.

Majibur emerged as the hero of the host team, ranked 124th in the world, when he blasted all four goals, in the 15th, 35th, 51st and 53rd minutes.

Johor Darul Ta’zim striker, Mohd Amri Yahyah pulled one goal back for Malaysia when he scored from a penalty at the end of the first half.

The match is the first international assignment for Dollah after being appointed as Harimau Malayas’ new coach by the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) on July 9.

He replaced Datuk K. Rajagobal whose contract was not renewed by FAM after failing to secure a slot to the final round of the 2015 Asian Cup Football Championship in Australia. Malaysia are scheduled to meet Jordan in another friendly on Oct 11 at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil.

The friendly matches are part of the preparation of the national squad for the 2014 AFF Suzuki Cup Championship in Singapore and Vietnam from Nov 22 to Dec 20.

Harimau Malaya are drawn with defending champions, Singapore, three-time champions Thailand and the winner of the qualifying round in group B. — Bernama