Malaysia National Team earned first 3 points after beating Nepal National Team scoring 2-0 in the AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers Round 3 Group F at Sultan Ibrahim Stadium, Iskandar Puteri.
This match marked Malaysia’s first game in 2025 under newly appointed head coach Peter Cklamovski, and the Harimau Malaya delivered a solid performance to collect their first three points in the third round of qualification.
The starting lineup drew attention as Dutch-born midfielder Hector Hevel was handed his debut, while Nepal fielded an experienced squad led by former T-Team midfielder Rohit Chand.
As expected, Malaysia dominated possession, with Hevel, Nooa Laine, and Endrick Dos Santos controlling the midfield, forcing Nepal into a defensive stance.
The home crowd erupted in the 26th minute when Hector Hevel marked his debut with a sensational long-range strike, leaving Nepal’s goalkeeper helpless and giving Malaysia a 1-0 lead.
Malaysia continued to create chances, with Endrick and Romel Morales both testing Nepal’s defense, but the scoreline remained unchanged as both teams headed into the break.
Returning for the second half, Malaysia remained in control, and their persistence paid off in the 52nd minute. Corbin Ong finished off a beautifully orchestrated move involving Arif Aiman and Endrick, securing Malaysia’s second goal of the night.
Nepal struggled to create clear opportunities, while Malaysia managed the game efficiently to close out a comfortable 2-0 victory.
With this result, Malaysia sits second in Group F with 3 points, level with Vietnam, who thrashed Laos in their opening match.
The AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers will resume in June, with Malaysia set to face Vietnam in a crucial encounter, while Nepal will take on Laos in search of their first points.
Credit Photo : HongZheng Lim/SNE-Photo
