KUALA LUMPUR, Sept. 10 (Xinhua) -- Visiting side United Arab Emirates (UAE) beat Malaysia 2-1 on Tuesday at the 2022 FIFA World Cup and AFC Asian Cup 2023 Preliminary Joint Qualification Second round.
Riding high from their previous victory against Indonesia, Malaysian forward Syafiq Ahmad scored the first goal 30 seconds into the match while his teammates displayed strength in attack at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium here.
The Malaysian team came close to doubling their lead more than once but it was not enough as the UAE team rebounded with forward Ali Mabkhout landing an accurate header at the 43rd minute, ending the first half with a draw.
Ali scored another goal in the 75th minute, sealing the fate of the Malaysian team, who struggled to keep up as the game went on.
Meanwhile, Thailand dispatched Indonesia 3-0 in Jakarta in another match in Group G, to lead the group with four points after two matches.