Dollah chides referee for biased decision in match against Myanmar

National coach Dollah Salleh lashed out at Turkmenistan referee, Kurbanov Charymurat for his unfavourable decision during the AFF Suzuki Cup 2014 opening Group B match between Malaysia and Myanmar at the Jalan Besar Stadium, here, on Sunday.

Dollah said a couple of Charymurat's decisions were questionable, including two penalty-kick appeals in the second half which were dismissed by him.

"Sorry to say but some of the Myanmar players were play acting which sometimes the referee failed to realise but overall, I'm proud with the performance of my players," he told reporters after the match.

Both teams shared the spoils after a goalless draw but the national team had to play two thirds of the match with 10-man after midfielder Gary Steven Robbat was given the marching orders by Charymurat after collecting two yellow cards in the first half.

Dollah said, they now faced a do-or-die situation against Thailand and Singapore in the remaining group matches, failing which booking an early flight home would be the only option.

"I knew it was a difficult task ahead for us but the players must double up their efforts to clinch maximum points against Thailand and Singapore after this," he said, adding that he will reshuffle his squad for the next game against Thailand at the same venue on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Myanmar head coach Radojko Avramovic was pleased with his boys for securing an important point while praising Malaysia for their gallant effort.

"Malaysia is a very good opponent with many players who have played in the AFF Suzuki Cup in 2010. For me, it was a tough game but I'm glad that we managed to collect a point," said the 64-year old Serbian.

Avramovic hoped his boys would put up a similar performance when they play against his former team, Singapore, in their next match at the National Stadium, Singapore Sports Hub, on Wednesday.