Malaysia’s Dion Cools (left) celebrate their scoring during the World Cup 2026 qualifiers match against Kyrgyzstan‘s National Stadium, Bukit Jalil in Kuala Lumpur.— MUHAMAD SHAHRIL ROSLI/The Star
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia made a huge comeback to take down world No. 97 Kyrgyzstan 4-3 in their first Group D match of the World Cup 2026-Asian Cup 2027 third round qualifiers at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil on Thursday (Nov 16).
Malaysia, coached by South Korean Kim Pan-gon, drew first blood in the sixth minute when winger Arif Aiman Hanapi’s corner was finished off by centreback Dion Cools with a superb header.
Harimau Malaya, ranked 137th in the world, could have added its second in the 25th minute when centreback Shahrul Saad unleashed a superb half volley shot, but it was inches off the bar.
It was from the 40th minute onwards, the Malaysians hit self destruct mode. Kyrgyzstan got their equaliser in the 41st minute when Zhyrgalbek Kayrat capitalised on a loose save from goalkeeper Ahmad Syihan Hazmi.
Two minutes later, the White Falcons got their second when Cools failed to deal with an aerial duel and striker Ernist Batyrkanov capitalised on it by finishing it past Syihan.
Kyrgyzstan got their third in the 56th minute when Kai Merk took advantage of Malaysia’s poor defending by smashing it past Syihan.
Malaysia reduced the deficit when Arif's cross from the right was inadvertently deflected in by Kyrgyzstan’s centreback Khristiyan Brauzman in the 71st minute.
The much needed equaliser came in the 76th minute when Cools got his second of the game, similar to his first goal, when he pounced on Arif's corner.
In the 93rd minute, Malaysia got their winner when winger Faisal Halim finished off a superb pass from Arif, who got his fourth assist of the game.
Malaysia will next face Taiwan at the Taipei Municipal Stadium on Nov 21.
