KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 28 (Bernama) -- The national futsal squad started the Futsal Asia Cup campaign on the wrong foot when they lost 1- 4 to Iran in the first match of Group D today.
In the action that took place at the Jakarta International Velodrome, Indonesia, Addie Azwan Zainal's men were surprised with an early goal as early as the first minute through Mohammad Hossein Derakhshani, which was also the only goal in the first half of the match.
Continuing in the second half, the national goal was again penetrated by three goals in four minutes through Behrooz Azimi (25th minute), Hossein Tayyebi (27th) and Moslem Oladghobad (28th) to lead comfortably 4-0.
However, Malaysia managed to get a consolation goal in the final minute of the match through Awalluddin Nawi, for the match to end 4-1.
The result sees Malaysia now in third place in Group D while Iran are in the top position.
After this, Malaysia will face Afghanistan on Jan 30 before closing out Group D with Saudi Arabia on Feb 1.
For the record, the Harimau Malaya futsal squad failed to qualify for the two previous editions of the Futsal Asia Cup, namely in Kuwait in 2022 and in Thailand in 2024.
In its 12 appearances at the Futsal Asia Cup since 1999, Malaysia have only played in the group stage and have never managed to qualify for the quarter-finals.
-- BERNAMA
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