PETALING JAYA: Malaysia’s hopes of qualifying for next year’s AFC Under-20 Asian Cup are in tatters after a 1-0 defeat to hosts Tajikistan in a Group E qualifying match at the Republican Central Stadium in Dushanbe.
Despite battling the chilly 16°C late kickoff, Juan Torres Garrido’s squad displayed commendable resilience to hold off their opponents until a stoppage-time goal from midfielder Khushvakhtov Dzhovidon.
The Tajikistan player, seeing goalkeeper Haziq Aiman off his line, lobbed the ball home in the fifth minute of added time for the winners.
The win propels Tajikistan into second place in Group E with six points while Malaysia dropped to third with four points from three matches.
Malaysia held North Korea to a scoreless draw and beat Oman 2-1 earlier.
Malaysia now face a must-win match against Sri Lanka today and hope they can still make it as one of the best five runners-up.
Tajikistan will take on Oman in their final group tie with the hosts being in a better chance of qualifying.
North Korea booked their ticket to the Asian Cup Finals in China after completing their Group E fixtures with a 1-0 win over Oman.
