KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia had to sweat in the first half, but Harimau Malaya roared back from a goal down to thrash a sorry Laos side 5-1 in their AFC Asian Cup 2027 third-round qualifier at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil on Tuesday (Oct 14).
Laos stunned the hosts in the 19th minute when midfielder Chanthavixay Khounthoumphone’s shot from outside the box deflected off Malaysian defender Shahrul Saad’s back, wrong-footing goalkeeper Ahmad Syihan Hazmi.
After taking the lead, Laos sat deep, deploying five defenders and three midfielders to frustrate Malaysia’s attack.
Harimau Malaya created openings but lacked the finishing touch, with striker Romel Morales missing two good chances and left wingback La’Vere Corbin-Ong seeing his header saved by Laotian goalkeeper Kop Lokphathip.
After the break, Malaysia upped the tempo, with Faisal Halim spearheading the attack through energetic runs down the flanks and clever combinations with fellow winger Arif Aiman Hanapi.
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 59th minute when Faisal curled home a superb free-kick from just outside the box.
Six minutes later, Malaysia took the lead as Morales opened his account, finishing off a slick one-two move with Arif.
The naturalised Colombian doubled his tally in the 70th minute, firing home after a neat layoff from Dion Cools.
The fourth goal came in the 79th minute when Laotian defender Khammanh Thapaseut and the fifth was scored by substitute striker Paulo Josue in the 82nd minute to delight the 20,000 crowd at the stadium.
The win maintained Malaysia’s perfect record in Group F, with four victories from as many matches to top the table on 12 points.
Harimau Malaya will next face Nepal in their qualifier at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil on Nov 18.
