Hadi keeps Malaysia in the fray in U-22 meet

PETALING JAYA: Striker Hadi Fayyadh Abdul Razak’s (pic) goal seven minutes from time kept alive Malaysia’s hopes of advancing to the semi-finals in the AFF Under-22 tournament.

The vital goal enable Malaysia to hold Indonesia to a 2-2 draw in their penultimate match in Group B.

Indonesia took the lead twice through Marinus Wanewar (54th minute) and Witan Suleiman (78th) but Malaysia forced their way back through a freekick from Nik Akif Syahiran Nik Mat (62nd) and Hadi’s header (83rd) at the Olympic Stadium in Phnom Penh, Cambodia yesterday.

Malaysia now have a point from two matches after losing 0-1 to hosts Cambodia in their Group B opener on Monday. They must beat Myanmar tomorrow to earn a place in the last four.

Team coach Datuk Ong Kim Swee said his players showed great character to salvage a point from the match.

“We needed a point and the players did well to get it. It was not an easy match especially against a tough team like Indonesia,” said Kim Swee.

“We were down 0-1 and 1-2 but the players came back to get the point and it showcased their fighting spirit. After the great fightback, I hope we can go further in the tournament.

“We didn’t have our full squad for this tournament. The condition of the surface is conducive for good football. We played well and it’s good to see the team scoring from set-pieces.”