Malaysia Women’s National Team kicked off their Tri Nations Women’s International Series 2025 campaign in perfect fashion, downing host nation Bangladesh 1-0 at Dhaka National Stadium, Dhaka
The tournament also serves as an opportunity for head coach Joel Cornelli to test depth and experiment with new combinations, and the Tigress delivered exactly what he wanted: discipline, intensity, and a crucial winning edge.
Selangor FC midfielder Ainsyah Murad produced the match-winning moment in the 28th minute, smashing home the decisive goal that separated the two sides.
Her strike gave Malaysia complete control of the contest, forcing Bangladesh to chase for the remainder of the match.
Goalkeeper Nurul Azurin Mazlan, trusted to anchor the Malaysian defence, delivered a commanding performance.
Bangladesh threw bodies forward late in the match, but every attempt was calmly denied by Azurin, who preserved the clean sheet until the final whistle.
Her leadership from the back proved vital as Malaysia absorbed waves of pressure in the later stages.
With three points secured, Malaysia now shifts focus to their second match of the series — a challenging showdown against world No. 74 Azerbaijan on 29 November.
A victory could place the Tigress in strong position to take the title and continue building momentum ahead of the SEA Games.
Malaysia’s 1-0 win signals a promising start for Cornelli’s evolving squad — a blend of youth, experience, and growing confidence.
Credit Photo : FAM
