Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia defeated Nepal 2-0 in an international friendly on Sunday as the Southeast Asians enter the final phase of their preparations for the first round of the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar Qualifiers.
Malaysia, who will face regional rivals Timor-Leste in the first round of the Qualifiers, turned on the power in the second half with Safawi Rashid and Shahrul Saad finding the back of the net at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil.
With the qualifying tie also serving as the first step towards making the 2023 AFC Asian Cup, Malaysia started brightly with Safawi earning a free-kick just a minute into the tie.
The set-piece yielded no dividends but Safawi pressed again seconds later but was denied by a tackle with the resultant corner bringing no joy to Malaysia. Syazwan Zainon then saw his effort hitting the woodwork.
Tier 1 International Match I Sunday, 2nd June 2019
Full Time
MALAYSIA 2-0 NEPAL
Safawi Rasid 51' (P) Shahrul Saad 82'#FAM #HarimauMalaya pic.twitter.com/Zo0aLIji2B— FA Malaysia (@FAM_Malaysia) June 2, 2019
Malaysia continued to press after the breather and their positive approach was finally rewarded as substitute Akhyar Rashid was brought down in the penalty box. Safawi stepped up to convert the penalty in the 51st minute.
That set the stage for an exciting second half as Nepal went in search of the equaliser while Malaysia sought a second goal to put the match to bed.
It was to be the hosts who would find the net again as Shahrul headed home a set-piece in the 82nd minute as Malaysia now set their sights on the first leg of the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar Qualifier against Timor Leste on Friday.
The second leg, also to be played at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil, is on June 11.
Photos: Football Association of Malaysia
Source: the-afc.com