Malaysia XI 0 United 2
Michael Owen struck his second United goal in as many
games as the Reds completed the double over the Malaysian XI with a
comprehensive 2-0 victory.
Owen blasted home from close range on 13 minutes
after capitalising on a loose ball inside the area having played
his part in the build-up. Two minutes earlier Federico Macheda had
opening the scoring with calm finish following Darren Fletcher’s
set-up.
In truth, the Reds could have had more – substitutes Rooney,
Berbatov and Anderson all went close late on in the second half,
but it was certainly another useful work-out for Sir Alex’s
men.
Jonny Evans was the only survivor from Saturday’s starting line-up
against the same opposition with Sir Alex opting to give everyone
some minutes on the clock. Ben Foster, a second half substitute in
the first match, kept his place in goal, while Gary Neville, Wes
Brown, Jonny Evans and Fabio made up the back four. Darren Fletcher
and Michael Carrick both returned from minor knocks to take up
right side and central midfield positions respectively. Ryan Giggs
partnered Carrick in the centre with Zoran Tosic out on the left
flank. Matchwinner Michael Owen started his first match for the
Reds alongside Federico Macheda up front.
There was a minute’s silence before kick-off in tribute to those
who lost their lives in Friday’s bombings in Indonesia, the
country, of course, where United should have been playing their
second tour match.
Following Saturday’s impressive display, the home side were
understandably full of confidence with goalscoring hero Yahyah
getting the
loudest cheers whenever he touched the ball. Another big
favourite, Reds’ veteran Ryan Giggs, thrilled the partisan crowd
with a host of tricks and flicks, alongside some exquisite close
control, movement and vision, and it was he who orchestrated
United’s first major venture forward on six minutes. A lovely
one-two with Fletcher resulted in the Scot collecting possession on
the right flank, but his lovely curling cross was just taken off
the head of Macheda by Malaysia goalkeeper Marlias.
There was nothing Marlias could do to stop the young Italian from
giving United the lead on 11 minutes. Fabio cut in from the left
and whipped in a low right-foot cross towards Macheda whose
speculative flick found the unmarked Fletcher on the right side of
the area. The shot looked on, but he unselfishly chose to square
the ball to Macheda who took a touch to set himself, before
blasting home from close range.
Two minutes later United doubled their advantage. Owen found the
lively Tosic on the left wing and although his low centre was
initially missed by Macheda, it rebounded off Mazlizam and into the
path of Owen, who had followed the ball into the area, and he made
no mistake from three yards as he lashed past Marlias.
While the hosts struggled to conjure any real attacks, United
continued to look dangerous going forward with Macheda and Owen
linking up well. And the latter went close to grabbing his second
of the match in the cheekiest of fashions on 33 minutes. Another
low whipped cross from the left by Tosic was instinctively flicked
goalwards by Owen who was hugely unlucky to see the ball bounce
back off the far post and
into Marlias’ grasp.
United made just one change at the break with Tomasz Kuszczak
replacing Foster in goal. The Pole was almost thrust into action
immediately when a low punt upfield nearly set Yahyah away, but Wes
Brown stood strong to hold off the midfielder and clear the
danger.
It wasn’t long before Kuszczak’s opposite number was called into
action, but he once again showed great awareness and speed as he
raced off his line to intercept a lovely through ball towards Owen
from Giggs.
As expected, a string of substitutions ensued either side of the
hour with Dimitar Berbatov, John O’Shea, Rio Ferdinand and Nani
replacing Owen, Neville, Evans and Tosic respectively. A barrage of
acclaim greeted the introduction of Wayne Rooney soon after and the
striker went close to sending the decibel level through the roof
two minute later when he collected a long ball over the top from
Wes Brown. Unfortunately, he dragged his left-foot shot wide of
Marlias’ goal.
Anderson, Paul Scholes and Darron Gibson were next to join
proceedings with the fresh legs bringing a fresh impetus to
United’s play, as well as a raft of decent chances. Just seconds
after coming on, Gibson saw his low shot from the right edge of the
area deflected out for a corner following Berbatov’s neat set-up.
The Bulgarian should have done better with a free header from
Nani’s right-wing cross soon after, while Nani was next to test the
Malaysia stopper with a low drive.
Rooney fired into the side netting on 76 minutes after cutting in
from the left, while Anderson, still searching for
his first United goal (both in a competitive and non-competitive
sense), flashed a rising shot wide of Marlias’ right upright after
being found well by O’Shea.
Despite United’s dominance, the Malaysians refused to give up hope
and were unlucky not to get themselves on the scoresheet in the
final minutes. After Brown had made a brilliant interception as
Shakir bore down on goal, Kuszczak was relieved to see Muhymeen’s
right wing cross evade the same player seconds later. A well struck
shot from Talaha followed, but was expertedly palmed away by
Kuszczak.
It was a lively ending to an entertaining 90 minutes as United held
firm for the victory and clean sheet.
Team
Line-ups
United: Foster (Kuszczak 46); Neville (O’Shea 62), Brown,
J.Evans (Ferdinand 62), Fabio (Evra 58); Fletcher (Anderson 69),
Carrick (Gibson 70), Giggs (Scholes 69), Tosic (Nani 62); Owen
(Berbatov 62), Macheda (Rooney 67).
Goals: Macheda 11, Owen 13
Malaysian XI: Marlias; Asraruddin, Zafuan,
Zamani (Muslim Ahmad, 75), Mazlizan (Thirumurugan 15; Mat Abu 78);
Kunanlan (Muhymeen 58), Rahim (Gurusamy 57), Umar (Rohidan 66);
Yahyah (Bakhtiar 64), Indra Putra (Shakir 72); Zaquan (Talaha
46).