Malaysia draw 1-1 with Jordan in AFC Under-23 Championship

National Under-23 striker Safawi Rasid trying go past Jordan player in the AFC Under-23 Group C match on Saturday. - Photo by www.asiana.my

PETALING JAYA: The national Under-23 team's hopes of advancing to the knock-out stages of the AFC Under-23 Championship stayed alive after holding Jordan to a 1-1 draw in their Group C penultimate match.

Striker Ward Al Barri opened the scoring in the 16th minute before Safawi Rasid slotted in a spot kick in the 43rd minute to equalise at the Changshu Stadium on Saturday.

National coach Datuk Ong Kim Swee made one change to the line-up which lost their opener 4-1 to Iraq on Wednesday (Jan 10) by dropping the injured N. Thanabalan for Akhyar Rashid.

The 18-year-old went on to play a key role winning the spotkick which was converted by Safawi to equalise.

Malaysia will next take on Arab Saudi in the final Group C match at the Kunshan Stadium next Tuesday (Jan 16).

National Under-23 coach Datuk Ong Kim Swee heaped praises on his players.

“I believe the boys showed good character today. Before the game today, nobody gave us any hope and we almost snatched three points from Jordan. So, overall I’m proud of the boys,” said Kim Swee during the post match press conference.