Head coach Dollah Salleh says that Malaysia need to bounce back in Wednesday's second Group B game against Thailand after blasting the referee and some Myanmar players for contributing to Sunday's disappointing Suzuki Cup opener in Singapore.
Malaysia drew 0-0 with unfancied Myanmar at the Jalan Besar Stadium after midfielder Gary Steven Robbat was sent off in the 35th minute for a second bookable offence.
They also had a penalty claim turned down when winger S. Kunalan was apparently fouled in the penalty box in the second half.
"We should have taken full points but it looks to me like the Myanmar players were trying to get our player sent off by play-acting," Dollah told The Star. "This is the third time in a row that our player has been sent off but I'm proud of their performance."
Despite being down to 10 men for almost an hour, the 2010 champions had good chances to score after the break through Mohd. Amri Yahyah and Norshahrul Idlan Talaha.
"We now have to bounce back against Thailand on Wednesday. We need a positive result from that match to have a chance of advancing to the semifinals."
Malaysia and Myanmar are tied for second in Group B on one point, behind Thailand on three points after Kiatisuk Senamuang's team scored late to beat co-hosts and defending champions Singapore.
The rock-bottom Singaporeans will play Myanmar on Wednesday before a tense cross-Causeway match up on Nov. 29. Two teams from the group will advance to the semifinals of the biennial Southeast Asian tournament.