KUALA LUMPUR — Oman won because Harimau Malaya was pressured to get the points during last night’s 2026 World Cup/2027 Asian Cup qualifiers at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium, according to Oman’s striker Omar Al Malki.
Omar scored from the penalty spot after he was fouled by Malaysia’s goalkeeper Ahmad Syihan Hazmi two minutes before halftime.
“We were more focused than them and we pushed hard for the win, and maybe Malaysia was under pressure after they lost the last game,” he said, referring to Harimau Malaysia’s 2-0 defeat on Friday in Muscat.
“I’m very pleased that we managed to score a goal in the first half after we kept creating plenty of chances.
“Malaysia is a good team so we will take this result.”
The 30-year-old said the win last night gave Oman a good chance to qualify for the next round of qualifying.
He added that the team will now push for the top spot in Group D as Kyrgyzstan is placed first after thrashing Chinese Taipei 5-1 in the other group game.
Kyrgyzstan and Oman are tied with nine points, but the Central Asian team tops the group with a better head-to-head record against the Gulf nation.
Malaysia is placed in third place with six points after two wins and two losses.
Harimau Malaya’s next game will be away to Kyrgyzstan on June 6, followed by a home fixture against Chinese Taipei on June 11. — March 27, 2024