Kuala Lumpur, Bahrain achieved a crucial 2-1 win against Malaysia to go top of Group E of the AFC Asian Cup 2023 Qualifiers Final Round.
Under rainfall at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium in the Malaysian capital, Bahrain resisted the pressure applied by Malaysia from the off, leveled the score and came from behind to seal a win that puts the Arabian Gulf country one point away from qualifying for the Finals.
Malaysia took the lead after 55 minutes in a blistering counterattack that allowed Mohameddou Sumareh to net Ahmed Khuzaimi’s cross.
However, Bahrain did not panic and less than two minutes later, it leveled the score with Ali Haram slotting home from close range after Mohammed Marhoon headed the ball into his path.
Ten minutes before the end, Substitute Abdullah Yusuf scored the winning goal for Bahrain by converting the penalty conceded by Faizal Marlias when he tackled Ali Madan in the area. Bahrain has six points from two matches
In the final match, Bahrain faces Turkmenistan (3 points) while Malaysia (3 points) takes on bottom of the group Bangladesh (0 points).
Source: Bahrain News Agency