Harimau Malaya down Hong Kong for timely boost ahead of Asian Cup qualifiers

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia scored a goal in each half to beat Hong Kong 2-0 in a Tier 1 international friendly at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil here last night for their second straight win ahead of the 2023 Asian Cup qualifying campaign.

Winger Muhammad Safawi Rasid put the Harimau Malaya ahead from the penalty spot in the first half before substitute Safiq Rahim sealed victory with a goal off a free-kick in the 90th minute.

With about 19,075 spectators cheering the national team on in the stadium, the win is the Harimau Malaya's first over Hong Kong since 2012 and it is also a timely boost for head coach Kim Pan Gon's charges as they get ready for next week's Asian Cup qualifiers.

Fresh from the 4-0 trouncing of Brunei here on Friday (May 27), Pan Gon's men took to the field tonight with their confidence sky high and dominated the first half, with Arif Aiman Mohd Hanapi and Muhammad Akhyar Abdul Rashid in excellent form.

The marauding Harimau Malaya carved up two clear chances in the first 10 minutes. However, Muhammad Safawi's attempt struck an opponent in the sixth minute before La'vere Lawrence Corbin Ong failed to connect a cross from a teammate two minutes later.

-- BERNAMA