On the eve of the critical AFF Suzuki Cup 2012 clash between defending champions Malaysia and confident Laos, national coach Datuk K. Rajagopal has promised a different line-up to bounce back from the shocking 3-0 defeat to Singapore last weekend.
Harimau Malaya needs to win both their remaining Group B matches against Laos and Indonesia to stay in the running for the playoffs.
Indonesia had a close 2-2 draw with Laos in the other Group B match.
Rajagopal was quick to defend the team after the trouncing and lamented that it was “undeserved” and was due to a series of individual errors.
Malaysia find themselves in a familiar, precarious position they were in two years ago, when they were steamrolled 5-1 by Indonesia in the opening game, only to come back strongly to take the trophy later.
Here’s hoping that lightning does strike the same place twice.
Malaysia meets Laos tomorrow at 8.45pm, 28 November 2012, Bukit Jalil Stadium, Malaysia.
