KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s chances of making history by qualifying for the third round of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers are fading fast as the Harimau Malaya failed to get the win they desired after drawing 1-1 with Kyrgyzstan in Bishkek last night.
The draw keeps the Harimau Malaya in third place in Group D of the second round of the 2026 World Cup/2027 Asian Cup Qualifiers with seven points — three points behind second-placed Kyrgyzstan, who also have a goal difference advantage going into the final match.
In last night’s match at the Dolen Omurzakov Stadium, national coach Kim Pan Gon made a bold move by banking on a centreback partnership of Dominic Tan and Muhammad Safwan Mazlan, who is making his international debut, while skipper Dion Cools was pushed to play on the right wing.
Although they took to the field without several key attacking players who are out injured, Malaysia still gave an encouraging performance, especially in the first half when they gave their higher-ranked rivals (world number 100 Kyrgyzstan) a good fight.
Kyrgyzstan launched the first attack of the match through defender Kairat Zhyrgalbek Uulu in the 12th minute but his powerful grounder was well read by Harimau Malaya goalkeeper Muhammad Azri Abdul Ghani.
Kyrgyzstan continued to push forward but midfielder Gulzhigit Alykulov fluffed his lines when he missed a golden opportunity to put coach Stefan Tarkovic’s side ahead with a wild volley from close range after receiving a cross from Alimardon Shukurov in the 20th minute.
But the home team capitalised on a momentary lapse of concentration by the Harimau Malaya backline in the 24th minute to go 1-0 up through Gulzhigit, who finished off a cross from striker Joel Kojo who had earlier beautifully controlled a long pass from Kairat on the left.
However, Malaysia managed to level the score in the 38th minute when Kyrgyzstan defender Odilzhon Abdurakhmanov headed in a freekick taken by naturalised midfielder Endrick Dos Santos for an own goal.
With half-time beckoning, naturalised striker Paulo Josue missed a great chance to put Malaysia ahead when his header was saved by Kyrgyzstan goalkeeper Erzhan Tokotaev.
The second-half saw both teams playing at a slower tempo, with Dos Santos and Josue each having a crack at the Kyrgyzstan goal with powerful long-range strikes which Tokotaev dealt with superbly while Muhammad Azri too had to work staved off a few attempts at his goalmouth.
Meanwhile, Oman have qualified for the 2027 Asian Cup and marched into the third round of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers after downing Taiwan 3-0 in Taipei in another Group D match to stay atop the group with 12 points from five matches.
In the final group matches, Malaysia, who have a minus two (-2) goal difference, will entertain Taiwan at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil on Tuesday (June 11) while Kyrgyzstan, with a +6 goal difference, will travel to Muscat to face Oman.
Should they fail to advance to the third round of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers, Malaysia will also miss out on an automatic spot in the 2027 Asian Cup Finals.
That means Malaysia will have to compete in the third round of the 2027 Asian Cup Qualifiers for a chance to make their second consecutive appearance in the tournament. — BERNAMA
