Asian Cup qualifiers: Malaysia outdone by North Korea
The match, postponed three times and eventually played at a neutral venue saw the Tigers lose 4-1 to North Korea.
North Korea thrashed Malaysia 4-1 in the Group B of the 2019 Asian Cup qualifier played in Buriram, Thailand on Friday.
The game, postponed three times due to security concerns, was played at a neutral venue, Buriram, with North Korea being designated as the home team.
Powerless Malaysia
Right from the beginning, the Malayan Tigers were powerless against the Korean side. In the 12th minute, a penalty kick was awarded to the home side after Malaysia captain Fadhli Shas handled the ball in the box and Pak Kwang Ryong put the spot kick away to hand North Korea the lead.
A Kim Yu-Song’s header made it 2-0 three minutes before half-time.
Three minutes into the second half, North Korea’s Kim Yong Il beat Malaysia’s keeper Hafizul Hakim, giving the home side a three-goal advantage.
Just 12 minutes later, at the 58th, Jong Il Gwan scored North Korea’s fourth.
In the 67th minute, Malaysia's Safawi Rasid scored his first international goal, meaning Malaysia at least got on the scoreboard.
Malaysia bottom of group B
This result leaves Malaysia on the bottom of Group B with just one point after four rounds of matches.
Lebanon are top with ten points, while North Korea and Hong Kong sit second and third respectively, each with five points but with the head-to-head results benefiting the Koreans.
Despite the bad results, Malaysia still has a chance of reaching the Asian Cup, needing two wins from the two remaining games in the group.