Boys get a rest

That was close: Malaysia’s Syahmi Safari (right) evading a tackle from Bahrain’s Abdulrahman Ahmedi in their final Group E match at the Wibawa Mukti Stadium in Cikarang yesterday. — Bernama

MALAYSIA coach Datuk Ong Swee Kim’s decision to rest key players in their last Group E match against Bahrain cost them a perfect record after a 3-2 defeat at the Wibawa Mukti Stadium, in Cikarang yesterday.

But despite the defeat, Malaysia still topped the group with six points due to their head-to-head record against South Korea, who also finished with six points.