Malaysia XI 3 – Liverpool 6 : Match Report

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Liverpool continued their Asian Tour to Malaysia as they step up their pre-season preparations for the new season. With Kenny back home tying up the deal for new signing Downing, Liverpool would be managed by fellow Scot Steve Clarke for this match. Once again the main aim for this match would be to give as many players as possible a run out.

THE MATCH

With such a large following in this part of the world the Bukit Jalil Stadium was sold out for this match with 80,000 fans at fever pitch to witness their heroes. But the game started in a more relaxed fashion as both teams settled into proceedings.

It took 10 minutes for Liverpool to create their first chance and it was new signing Adam that created it finding Carroll with a perfect pass, Carroll’s effort was thwarted by Allawee Ramli with Meireles failing to turn the rebound goalward.

Moments later Adam clipped a free-kick just over. With Liverpool dominating proceedings they were awarded a rather soft penalty when Puttra tugged back Carroll in the box when trying to connect to another Adam pass. Adam confidently converted the spot kick at the second attempt after the referee awarded a re-take.

Meireles then had a back post header saved before the hosts equalised three minutes before half-time with a tremendous strike from a free-kick by Captain Rahim who gave Brad Jones no chance. Liverpool had a couple of scares before half-time as the hosts were bouyed by their goal and Liverpool were happy to hear the whistle to end the half.

Liverpool put a new team out for the second half making eleven changes and they almost took an early lead but N’Gog dragged his shot wide after being sent clear by Aqualani.

Shelvey then hit a low free-kick just wide of the target before Kuyt put a dangerous ball across the face of goal which Aqualani just couldn’t reach.

Then in the 69th minute Liverpool took the lead after an Insua cross eventually found N’Gog at the back post after a mix up at the near post as Ahmad tried to clear, N’Gog stretched to steer the ball into the net.

Moments later N’Gog scored his second goal of the match when he fired into the top corner after being sent clear by Aqualani.

With Liverpool in the acendency now and the Malaysians tiring they scored a fourth when a good move started by Aqualani found Insua down the left who’s centre was met by Maxi who made no mistake from close range.

With contest seemingly over the hosts remarkably pulled a goal back with ten minutes remaining when Sali scored. Amazingly the substitute added a second shortly after setting up a tense finale.

Liverpool ended the comeback with two late goals, another from Maxi and one from Kuyt giving the massive crowd plenty of goals to cherish from their heroes.

Overall it was a good performance from many players as they continue their preperation for the new season. Adam and Aqualani impressed the most for me with N’Gog looking sharp up front scoring a couple of goals.

Man of the Match – Adam – everything good came from him and very confident with the penalty, I was also impressed with his workrate tracking back.

written by Jamie McLaughlin
website at www.anfieldnews.com

8 Comments

  1. I defer your statement. Yeah Adam is the man of the match for the the first half. In second half, Aqualani skills and passing dictate the play. All 5 goals in the second half starts from the movement he make.

  2. I was there and it was a great atmosphere, great game with loads of goals, 7 in the second half! The You’ll Never Walk Alone by 80,000 fans at the end was magnificent. Look forward to the next tour to this part of the world.
    You guys have no idea how lucky you are being able to watch them week in week out or even bump into the players at the local supermarket, most of us had to camp outside of the hotel / stadium and literally fight our way through any appearances at shopping complexes just to catch a glimpse of them players.

  3. Adam “man of the match”!! you had better stop taking the drugs mate. The aqua man was by far the best player on the pitch.

  4. Adam was good, but we knew this ! However, again have to agree Aquilani was THE MAN !

    His skills, movement and passing was 2nd to none… Can now see why we paid the money we did. And why we are still continuing to try and sell him or loan him out I have no idea !?

    I think get a refund on Downing… – 28 day on returns isn’t it ? I hope this boy comes good, but from what I’ve seen i wouldn’t have signed him let alone paid £20m for him… Especially when you see a player like Ashley young go to united for £16m !

  5. Yes the oppositions of this tour were not up to the standard as in the pass, but the supports the team got from China and Malaysia cannot even better by Man Utd and imaging we had not won the league for such a long time, yet we the die hard fans of Asia will always be true red, and our children will follow our foot step. The atmosphere in Malaysia was electrifying to say the least, the game itself was not important to us, we only want the players, the coaches and the management teams to know that we are no different from the people of Liverpool when come to support our belove team. YNWA

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