KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's lack of readiness for the highest level in Asia was exposed in their 4-0 defeat to Jordan during their opening Asian Cup Group E match on Monday.
Several respected coaches and sports analysts shared their perspectives on the match.
Malaysian football great Dollah Salleh highlighted the national team's lack of experience at this level.
"This is the first time Harimau Malaya have qualified for the Asian Cup (on merit) in over 40 years, and perhaps we needed more experience at this level," said Dollah.
"Jordan used their experience to overcome us.
"But on a positive note, we controlled between 60 and 70 per cent of the game in the second half. Unfortunately, we were unable to convert our possession into goals."
Veteran coach Irfan Bakti suggested that Malaysia should have played tougher opponents in friendly matches before the tournament.
"I don't think it was nerves because half the team are naturalised players," said Irfan.
"From what I see, we did not play enough matches against higher-ranked teams to prepare for the competition.
"I was actually very concerned when Saudi Arabia decided to cancel their friendly against us on Jan 4.
"Our players just struggled to settle into a rhythm.
"Teams usually draw in their first match, but to lose by a huge margin will now make it tough for us to qualify for the second round."
Sports analyst Datuk Dr Pekan Ramli echoed Irfan's sentiments, adding that Jordan came prepared.
"After all the hype, this result comes as unexpected. I do sympathise with the team," said Pekan.
"I think it is clear that we did not prepare well enough for the competition and lacked the big match temperament needed to do well at this level.
"Our players appeared stiff.
"Jordan came in very well-prepared and had played seven matches against tough opponents since October, so they were ready.
"Malaysia, on the other hand, had only played five games and did not play any in December."
National coach Kim Pan Gon's decision to play a pressing game and deploy both Arif Aiman Hanapi and Faisal Halim on the right, instead of opposing flanks, to accommodate naturalised player Romel Morales also drew question marks as the latter is a newcomer to the team.
Colombian-born Morales earned his first cap against Jordan.
Sports analyst Datuk Richard Scully said Malaysia left too much space at the back.
"Of course, it's easy to say this in retrospect, but our high-pressing game approach, spending more time in zone two - generally a positive approach to take - allowed them to kill us in the transitions," said Richard.
"We left too much space in zone one, and this allowed them to hit us on the counter because they had the speed to do so.
"I think we were quite fortunate to walk away with a 4-0 defeat, it could have been more."
Dollah said Jordan's ability to keep Faisal and Arif at bay muted Malaysia's attacking abilities.
"After we went a goal down, our defenders tried to help out in attack. but this left us with fewer players (in defence) when Jordan counter-attacked. They had the ability to beat us in one-on-one situations," said Dollah.
"Faisal and Arif, who usually cause trouble, couldn't play their usual game.
"This was one of the reasons we were unable to make an impact in the match.
"They both can take on players, but the decision to play them on the right may have affected their rhythm.
"But I believe Pan Gon will know what is best."
Malaysia will play Bahrain on Saturday, followed by Group E favourites South Korea on Jan 25.
