Super Safawi buries Indonesia with deadly double
FMT Reporters
-November 19, 2019 11:31 PM
Clinical Safawi keeps Malaysia alive and kicking. (AP pic)PETALING JAYA: Safawi Rasid was in superb form as his brace gave Malaysia a 2-0 win over bitter rivals Indonesia at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil tonight.
Roared on by over 80,000 enthusiastic fans, Harimau Malaya started on the front-foot from the first whistle in the 2022 World Cup/2023 Asian Cup qualifier.
Their positivity was rewarded in the 30th minute when Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) striker Safawi curled in a gem of a freekick.
The 22-year-old M-League Player of the Year then sealed the three points when he stole the ball from defender Yanto Basna and lashed home from an acute angle in the 73rd minute.
Indonesia were handed a lifeline eight minutes from time when Farizal Marlias brought down speedy winger Febri Hariyadi in the box.
The JDT goalkeeper, however, redeemed himself by saving the resulting spotkick from Nigeria-born Osas Marvellous.
The win, coupled with Thailand’s goalless draw with Vietnam in Hanoi, pushed Tan Cheng Hoe’s men to second place in Group G.
It means Malaysia, who have nine points from five games, are now in a good position to make the Asian Cup.
Four best runners-up across the eight groups will advance to the final World Cup qualifying round and Asian Cup.
The remaining four runners-up will make the Asian Cup third qualifying round.
Malaysia’s next match is away at fourth-placed UAE on March 26.
SUPORTER MALAYSIA DAN INDONESIA SALING MELEMPAR FLARE!
Flares thrown at Malaysian fans at World Cup qualifier
Adam Abu Bakar
-November 19, 2019 11:15 PM
The scene at the World Cup qualifier match at the Bukit Jalil stadium tonight after flares were allegedly thrown at Malaysian fans. (Bernama pic)KUALA LUMPUR: An otherwise peaceful World Cup qualifier between Malaysia and Indonesia here tonight was marred after flares were apparently thrown at local fans.
Based on video clips making the rounds on social media, the first flare which emitted red smoke was flung after Malaysia took the lead in the 29th minute through forward Muhammad Safawi Rasid.
According to Bernama, a second flare was thrown towards Malaysian supporters after the match ended.
Malaysia beat Indonesia 2-0, with both goals scored by Safawi.
Last month, Indonesia’s national football association was fined US$45,000 by Fifa over crowd trouble during a World Cup qualifier against Malaysia in September.
Malaysian fans were threatened and pelted with projectiles during the visiting side’s 3-2 win.
Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, who was at the Gelora Bung Karno stadium then, said several Indonesian football fans had tried to barge into the area reserved for Malaysian fans.
