Malaysia and Hong Kong Play to 1-1 Draw

MELAKA, Sept 6 (Bernama) – Malaysia had to be satisfied with a just a point after playing to a 1-1 draw with Hong Kong in Group B of the Asian Cup 2019 Qualifiers at the Hang Jebat Stadium here Tuesday night. The first half saw both sides evenly matched and having chances but blunt finishing let them down. Malaysia captain Safiq Rahim had a good chance in the 22nd minute but his free kick taken from outside the box went wide on the left. Darren Lok outwitted the Hong Kong defence in the 35th minute but the Hong Kong keeper saved his shot. A loss in concentration by the Malaysian defence nearly cost the hosts but the shot taken in the 42nd minute by naturalised Hong Kong player Alexander Oluwatayom, who was born in Nigeria, was denied by keeper Muhammad Hafizul Hakim. On resumption, Hong Kong broke the deadlock in the 53rd minute after Alessandro Ferreira Leonardo slotted home a pass from Jaimes McKee. A goalmouth melee in the 56th minute saw midfielder Mohd Syazwan Zainon levelling the score with a piledriver . Malaysia had another opportunity to go ahead but Safiq Rahim’s freefick in the 72nd minute sailed past the upright. Mohd Rizal Mohd Ghazali and Mohd Aidil Zafuan Abdul Radzak were given the marching orders by Australian referee Christopher Beath after they picked up a second yellow card each in the 90th minute and added time. Khairul Azhan Mohd Khalid was again the hero for Malaysia when he saved a penalty taken by Alessandro Ferreira Leonardo in the final minute of the game. Things turned unruly afterwards when the fans vented their anger over the two red cards handed out by the referee. Malaysia are in Group B with Lebanon, North Korea and Hong Kong. They will next meet North Korea at the Kim II Sung Stadium, Pyongyang on Oct 5. (photoBERNAMA) --BERNAMA