KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia striker Paulo Josue (pic) did not try to escape the moment.
Under the floodlights at Bukit Jalil after Malaysia’s 1-0 win over Nepal in the AFC Asian Cup 2027 third-round qualifiers, the veteran forward walked toward the cameras with the honesty of a man who knew exactly where the conversation would start – the missed penalty he sent over the bar in the dying minutes.
“It happens,” he said, voice steady but eyes carrying the weight of the night.
“I kicked too hard. I was confident, but I missed it. I’ll carry this bad feeling until it goes away ... maybe until tomorrow, maybe after tomorrow.”
Malaysia had already secured the victory thanks to Faisal Halim’s sharp finish, the lone goal that separated the two sides in a cagey contest.
But the late penalty was Josue’s chance to put the match to bed – a reward for Malaysia’s dominance and persistence against a Nepal side that defended deep and refused to open up.
But the ball sailed high and the 36-year-old was left replaying the moment in his mind.
It was a rare sight. Even he struggled to recall the last time he failed from the spot.
“Maybe not in the Malaysian League,” he admitted with a half-smile. “I can’t remember.”
But if he expected frustration or disappointment from his teammates, none came.
“The boys said nothing bad. No problem,” Josue said.
“We are a group, we are a family. We need to support each other.”
Wingback Dion Cools was originally near the ball before handing responsibility to him – a gesture of trust that Josue did not take lightly.
“Nobody asked for the ball. Dion offered it to me. I’m a striker. That’s something the coaches expect – to step up in those last minutes.”
The coaching staff’s response mirrored the dressing room’s calm.
No reprimands, no overanalysis – just reassurance.
“The coach told me to forget about it. It happens,” Josue said.
