It was a shock to the system for Nepal from two key aspects during the match. The storming manner in which Malaysia started the game petrified the visiting side as they camped within their penalty box for a large period of the first half as Harimau Malaysia went seeking for the early goal.
To make matters worse for Johan Kalin's side, they also had to content with a very bad pitch at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium. Both he and Tan Cheng Hoe are in agreement that the field was not cared for very well and did not suit the standard required at this level.