Malaysia's Syafiq Ahmad fends off a challenge from a Timor Leste player in the AFF Cup Group A match at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium. - Bernama
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia came close to a new low but found a way to escape with a win in the AFF Cup.
Harimau Malaya, led by Spanish coach Pau Marti Vicente, were behind 1-2 in the first half against world No. 195 Timor Leste but came back to beat the minnows 3-2 in their second Group A game at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil on Dec 11 (Wednesday).
Malaysia, ranked 132nd, drew first blood in the 37th minute when substitute striker Fergus Tierney, who came on for Darren Lok in the 32nd minute, unleashed a cross, which was finished off by Syafiq Ahmad.
But the Crocodiles struck back with two goals during the first half injury time.
Captain Joao Pedro beat two defenders before he passed to winger Olagar Xavier, who finished with a goal in the 46th minute.
Pedro then gave his team the lead when he curled a shot past Malaysian goalkeeper Kalamullah Al-Hafiz in the 48th minute.
Vicente surprised the crowd by taking off Fergus and Syafiq, the architects of the first goal for playmaker Endrick dos Santos and winger Fazrul Amir in the second half.
Eventually Malaysia got the equaliser in the 69th minute through playmaker Paulo Josue, who unleashed a shot past Timor Leste's goalkeeper Junildo Pereira.
Josue scored another in the 82nd minute to put Malaysia in the lead.
Malaysia will face heavy favourites Thailand next at the Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok on Dec 14.
