JAKARTA: If the first FIFA ASEAN Cup needed someone to announce its arrival, Arif Aiman Hanapi was happy to oblige.
Two goals before half-time from the Malaysian winger put Harimau Malaya firmly in charge before Bergson da Silva marked his international debut with a goal of his own in a 3-0 win over Bangladesh at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium on Friday (Sept 25).
It was Malaysia’s night from the moment they settled into their rhythm.
Faisal Halim gave Bangladesh goalkeeper Mehedi Hasan Srabon an early warning in the fourth minute, forcing him into a save from outside the box as Tan Cheng Hoe’s side immediately pushed the game forward.
The pressure told in the 18th minute.
Nooa Laine slipped the ball into Arif’s path and the winger finished the move to put Malaysia ahead – and write his name into the opening chapter of the new tournament.
Arif was not finished.
With eight minutes left in the first half, Stuart Wilkin found him again and Malaysia’s No. 12 made it 2-0, leaving Bangladesh with a long way back before the interval.
Then came Bergson’s turn.
The striker, making his first appearance in Malaysian colours, needed only six second-half minutes to find the net.
His 51st-minute finish stretched the lead to three and gave him a debut goal on an evening already carrying plenty of firsts for Harimau Malaya.
Bangladesh had moments where they threatened to slow Malaysia down, but the game had already tilted heavily in one direction.
By full-time, Malaysia had the first victory of the inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup – three goals, three points and an opening performance built around Arif’s double and Bergson’s immediate impact.
The next one will feel very different.
Malaysia return to Gelora Bung Karno on Sept 28 to face hosts Indonesia, with the atmosphere, intensity and stakes expected to rise sharply in one of Group A’s most anticipated fixtures.
Harimau Malaya will then head to Bandung to face Singapore at Stadium Si Jalak Harupat on Oct 1.
Bangladesh was the opening act and now, the battle against Indonesia is where the temperature rises.
