Malaysia’s Paulo Josue in action during tonight’s 2024 Asean Cup match against Timor Leste at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium. (Bernama pic)
PETALING JAYA: Harimau Malaya narrowly avoided embarrassment against minnows Timor Leste after coming from behind to secure a 3-2 victory in their second match of the 2024 Asean Cup tournament.
Despite being heavily favored to dominate Timor-Leste, Harimau Malaya struggled to break through their opponents’ defence in the first half at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium.
Malaysia opened the scoring in the 37th minute when Fergus Tierney unleashed a cross which was finished off by Syafiq Ahmad.
However, the 7,420 fans in attendance were shocked when Joao Pedro’s blistering pace overwhelmed two Harimau Malaya defenders to set up Olagar Xavier for Timor-Leste’s equaliser in the 46th minute.
Pedro continued to torment Malaysia’s defence and put Timor-Leste ahead when his second goal capped off a counter-attack in the 48th minute.
Malaysia drew level in the 69th minute when playmaker Paulo Josue finished off a lofted pass and unleashed a shot past Timor Leste’s goalkeeper Junildo Pereira after a lofted pass from substitute midfielder Endrick Dos Santos.
The 35-year-old Kuala Lumpur (KL) City FC forward remained a constant threat in front of goal and netted his second of the night with a header from a poorly cleared ball by Timor-Leste substitute Luis Figo Ribeiro in the 83rd minute.
In another group match, Singapore defeated Cambodia 2-1 at the National Stadium, Singapore, in their opening match.
Malaysia now top Group A with four points, one point ahead of defending champions Thailand and Singapore, who have played one match each.
Cambodia are fourth with one point while Timor-Leste are last without any points.
Malaysia will next face Thailand in Bangkok on Saturday while Timor-Leste will take on Singapore.
Harimau Malaya opened their campaign with a 2-2 draw against Cambodia in Phnom Penh last Sunday.
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