Malaysia’s semi-final hopes in the men’s Under-23 football competition took a slight dent after Singapore held them to a 1-1 draw in their penultimate Group A fixture at the Zeyar Thiri Stadium in Naypyitaw on Sunday.
Mohd Afiq Yunos put the Lions ahead in the 60th minute before super-sub Rozaimi Abdul Rahman scored the equaliser for Malaysia off a free-kick in the last minute of regulation time.
Singapore have wrapped up their campaign with eight points and are the first team to qualify to the semi-finals after having defeated Brunei (2-0), Vietnam (1-0) and holding Laos (1-1).
Malaysia with seven points play Vietnam in their last game on Tuesday. Malaysia had opened their campaign on a bright note defeating Brunei (2-0) and Laos (4-1).
Vietnam with three points are also in contention for a semi-final spot. They thrashed Brunei 7-0 and lost to Singapore (1-0).
Malaysia had an early scare when Singapore striker Sahil Suhaimi’s half-volley from point blank range was saved by an alert goalkeeper Mohd Izham Tarmizi in the second minute.
Malaysia piled in the pressure but poor finishing by strikers A. Thamil Arasu and Ahmad Hazwan Bakri denied them any goals.
The Malaysian defence went to sleep at the hour mark when Mohd Afiq pounced on a rebounder off a Safuwan Baharuddin header, which deflected off the woodwork.
Then, Rozaimi struck a beauty curling in a free kick beating Singapore’s Izwan Mahbud in the last minute of play.
Source: The Star
