Wounded Tigers lack bite, FIFA ranking drops

Malaysia suffered their second consecutive defeat after going down 2-0 to Thailand in an international friendly at the SCG Stadium in Nonthaburi yesterday.

National coach Datuk K. Rajagobal's boys who lost 1-0 to Vietnam at the My Dinh Stadium in Hanoi last Saturday are expected to slip further down the FIFA rankings after the recent defeat.

The latest FIFA ranking released by FIFA yesterday saw Malaysia drop from 162 last month to 163 after the defeat to Vietnam.

In the match against Thailand, host player Prayat Bunya headed in the first goal from a corner while Ahtit Suntornpit made it 2-0 in the 81st minute to give new coach Winfried Schafer a much needed boost.

Rajagobal's side led by Safee Mohd Sali and Azamuddin Mohd Akil, again failed to find the target for the second consecutive match, raising questions as to Malaysia's ability to defend the AFF Cup.

The squad will return to face Hong Kong at the Shah Alam Stadium on Nov 14, a week before the AFF Cup kicks off.

Malaysia, drawn in Group B, open their campaign on Nov 25 against Singapore before taking on Laos on Nov 28, and face arch-rival Indonesia on Dec 1.

All matches will be played at the Nasional Stadium in Bukit Jalil.