Malaysia pulled off a remarkable 3-2 come-from-behind victory over Indonesia in their World Cup 2022 Qualifiers Group G opening match at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta tonight.
The Gambian-born Mohamadou Sumareh was the toast of the Malaysian side, scoring twice in the match, including the winning goal in the seventh minute of added-on time.
The hard-earned victory, coupled with Southeast Asian giants’ Thailand and Vietnam’s scoreless draw in Phatum Thani earlier in the night, allows Malaysia to head the five-team Group G standings with a maximum three points. Middle East giants United Arab Emirates is the other team in the group.
Spurred on by a vociferous home crowd, it was Indonesia who drew first blood in the 12th minute when the Brazilian-born Beto Goncalves beat the Malaysian offside trap to slide the ball past goalkeeper Farizal Marlias.
Refusing to be overawed by the occasion, the Harimau Malaya side clawed back the deficit through Sumareh’s solo effort in the 37th minute.
However, the Malaysians’ joy was short-lived as Goncalves again put the home side ahead two minutes later with a delicate lob over Farizal.
Tan Cheng Hoe’s side pulled level for the second time in the match in the 66th minute through Syafiq Ahmad’s close-range header.
Just when it seemed the match would end level at 2-2, Sumareh struck from close range to send the few hundred Malaysian fans in the stands into a frenzy.
Malaysia faces UAE at the Bukit Jalil Stadium in Kuala Lumpur next Tuesday in their second match.
