MALAYSIAN PM PROUD OF 'YOUNG TIGERS' DESPITE LOSS TO SINGAPORE

JITRA (Malaysia), July 29 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister of Malaysia Najib Tun
Razak gave the thumbs up to the Malaysian players despite bowing out of the 2014
World Cup Qualifier to Singapore on a 6-4 aggregate.

Singapore who had won the first leg of the Asian Zone World Cup qualifier
5-3 at the Jalan Besar Stadium in Singapore on Saturday, managed a 1-1 draw in
the second leg at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil here Thursday, to advance
on a 6-4 aggregate.

Najib and his wife Rosmah Mansor who attended a people's dinner
themed 'Prime Minister with People' at Wawasan Hall here watched the live
telecast of the match on a big screen with 2,000 others.

The Prime Minister and 2,000 other supporters were jumping for joy when Mohd
Safee Sali scored Malaysia's first goal in the 57th minute but had to be
contended with the 1-1 draw as Singapore equalised in the 72nd minute.

Najib who is in Kedah for a one day official visit told reporters after the
match that he was proud of the players who had shown loads of determination and
commitment during the match.

"We were in for a tough time due to the two-goal deficit since Singapore had
won 5-3 in the first leg last week.

"However, I am happy to see their fighting spirit. I want the players to
consider the loss as a lesson to strengthen their performance in the future," he
said.