In the dying moments of the game, Ali Madan secured a crucial goal, leading Bahrain to a narrow 1-0 victory over Malaysia in Group E of the 2023 AFC Asian Cup at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium on Saturday. This win revitalizes Bahrain’s chances of progressing to the knockout stage, setting up a crucial match against Jordan on Thursday, while defeat ended Malaysia’s Asian Cup aspirations, with the Harimau Malaya concluding their campaign against South Korea.
Malaysia’s head coach Kim Pan-gon made several strategic changes from the side that went down 4-0 to Jordan in their opening match, introducing Dominic Tan and Shahrul Saad into a revamped defensive lineup with La’Vere Corbin-Ong and Matthew Davies on the flanks, effectively withstanding Bahrain’s early pressure.
Despite Bahrain initially dominating, Malaysia had the first opportunity in the seventh minute when Corbin-Ong’s long throw-in found its way to Dion Cools, who failed to hit the target. Malaysia continued to grow in confidence, with Faisal Halim creating chances and Arif Aiman having a shot saved by Ebrahim Lutfallah.
The match remained goalless at halftime, with Bahrain’s Komail Al Aswad coming close in the 31st minute, only to be denied by Dominic’s goal-line clearance. The second half saw Bahrain maintaining their intensity, but Abdullah Al Hashash, Al Aswad, and Madan missed opportunities.
Former Persija Jakarta striker Abdulla Yusuf Helal missed a header in the 56th minute, and both sides had chances in the closing minutes. Ultimately, Bahrain’s persistence paid off in added time when Ali Madan scored with the outside of his left foot after Malaysia failed to clear a corner, securing the crucial 1-0 victory that ended the Harimau Malaya‘s Asian Cup chances.
Saturday’s other match saw South Korea playing out a 2-2 draw with Jordan at the Al Thumama Stadium, with former Selangor FC defender Yazan Al-Arab scoring a last-minute own goal that saved the Taeguk Warriors‘ blushes.