Harimau Malaya roaring again - Reezal

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's 1-0 victory over Thailand in the final Group G second-round match of the 2022 World Cup/2023 Asian Cup qualifiers early this morning showed that the Harimau Malaya roar is back after two consecutive defeats in the qualifying campaign.

Expressing his appreciation over the spirit and determination demonstrated by the squad, under the guidance of Tan Cheng Hoe in the match, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican hoped that all the players can keep the positive momentum going for their upcoming matches.

"Harimau Malaya are roaring again! Alhamdulillah! Safawi Rasid's penalty kick managed to seal Malaysia's spot to the third round of the 2023 Asian Cup Qualifiers. Congratulations to the Harimau Malaya players who fought hard and were determined tonight.

"I'm proud of the team's performance tonight. GOOD GAME Harimau Malaya!," Reezal Merican tweeted.

In the match at the Al Maktoum Stadium in Dubai the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Second-half substitute Muhammad Safawi Rasid was the hero when he scored the only goal of the game from the penalty spot in the 52nd minute.

The win enabled Malaysia to finish third in the group and earn an automatic spot in the third round of the 2023 Asian Cup Qualifiers.

In the Group G match on June 4, Malaysia crushed 4-0 by the UAE before losing 1-2 to Vietnam last Saturday.

-- BERNAMA