Liverpool overturned a three-goal deficit to win the 2005 UEFA Champions League final and Malaysia head coach Ong Kim Swee says that his team must guard against complacency, despite their dominant position in the AFC Asian Cup playoff against Timor-Leste.

Malaysia defeated the Timorese 3-0 at Johor's Larkin Stadium last Thursday and will face the same opposition at the same venue in the second leg on Monday night.

Rafa Benitez's Reds came back from 3-0 down at the break against AC Milan to win a penalty shoot out in Istanbul 11 years ago and Ong says that it's only half time for Malaysia, with the job incomplete against Timor-Leste.

"The playoff is far from over," he told The Star.

"We still have 90 minutes to play. Timor-Leste had many chances to score in the second half on Thursday, so it will be wise for us to stay focused for the return match."

Apart from the lesson of the 2005 Champions League final, Malaysia will remember how they let a lead slip in an AFC World Cup qualifier at home to Timor-Leste a year ago.

After Safee Sali put them ahead just after the half hour in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia suffered a 93rd minute sucker punch when Brazilian-born Ramon Saro equalised to force a 1-1 draw. However, this will be a much bigger mountain to climb for the minnows of Southeast Asia, who failed to win a game in the previous round of qualifying while conceding 36 goals in eight matches.

It is also a much different Malaysian side, with Selangor's Hazwan Bakri in good scoring form, with his two first-half goals in the first leg. One survivor from last year's matches is Amri Yahyah, who scored in a 1-0 victory over the Timorese in Dili in October and off the bench, with the third and final goal on Thursday night.

"The players showed real character to win the game," Ong said.

"This is a new team and the players need time to gel with one another."

Malaysia are hoping to win through to the third round of qualifying next year for the Asian Cup when 24 teams will vie for the 12 final spots at United Arab Emirates 2019.

Source:
courtesy of ESPNFC

by ESPN staff

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