MALAYSIA SUFFER FIRST ERUPTION OF THE PHILIPPINES
A grim day in Bukit Kiara on the weather front, but an enthusiastic crowd were rewarded with a decent game and, more importantly, the right result for the travelling Pinoys. It guarantees them a better position for the next match.
Nothing much happened in the 1st half. Everybody is playing safe until Matthew Saunders was yellow carded over a silly foul. Malaysia took the lead when Mohamad Syarif converted a penalty in the 25th minutes. The game tempo quickly acclerated and the Philipines responded with a sweet try by Christopher Bird five minutes before the whistle. Malaysia was behind at 3-5 at half time.
Second half started pretty good for Malaysia. Nasalo did good with a try from the outfield, coupled with a sweet conversion for Mohamad Syarif. Gave a healthy 10-5 lead to the home side. A glimpse of hope to say the least. Only to succumb to a 10-10 equalizer from the Phillipines. Matthew Saunders was the man from Zero to Hero. He was immediately up for the breakthrough, and the speed with which he got the ball from hand to foot. The attack close-in and crumbling the Malaysian defence. All of these within the 3rd minutes into the second half.
For the rest of the time Malaysia and Phillipines did 7 susbstitutions bringing in fresh legs in order to secure the result. Ten minutes from time, Phillipines' industrious number #8 scored a try from a set piece which pretty much sealed the game. Philippines lead at 15-10.
The Philipines were almost immediately back looking for more, and going the right way about it, when they were turned over a couple of metres from Malaysia's line. The consequences were massive. Its effect was evident when normal business was resumed, for even when Malaysian picked up the game where they left off it was already too late.
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