KUALA LUMPUR, June 11 — A penalty converted by Bahrain substitute player Abdulla Yusuf Helal at the end of the second Group E match of the 2023 Asian Cup qualifiers tonight was enough to sink all hopes of Malaysia pulling off a surprise against Bahrain as the hosts went down 1-2 at Bukit Jalil National Stadium tonight.
Helal’s penalty in the 81st minute was awarded by Tajikistan referee Sadullo Gulmurodi after Malaysian keeper Mohd Farizal Marlias brought down Ali Jaafar Madan in the penalty box.
Malaysia’s naturalised player Mohamadou Sumareh had earlier put Malaysia ahead in the 55th minute only for Bahrain’s Ali Abdula Haram to equalise two minutes later.
Playing in front of over 63,000 local fans, Malaysia dominated the first half with a series of attacks that Bahrain worked hard to absorb.
The national team managed to threaten the visitors as early as the fifth minute with a long ball by Ahmad Khuzaimi Piee that was delivered right to Junior Eldstal’s but quick thinking by Bahrain keeper Sayed Mohamed Abbas managed to save the visiting team the blushes. — Bernama pic
