Malaysia National Team looked to extend their winning momentum after beating Laos National Team scoring 5-1 in the AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers Round 3 at Bukit Jalil National Stadium, Kuala Lumpur.
The Malaysian side entered the contest brimming with confidence following their commanding 3–0 triumph over Laos in the previous encounter at the New Laos Stadium. Backed by a roaring home crowd, Malaysia aimed to make full use of their advantage and secure another vital three points in their qualifying campaign.
Head coach Peter Cklamovski made just one change to his starting lineup, with Faisal Halim replacing Nazmi Faiz, while the visitors made two adjustments — Sonevilay Phetviengsy, sidelined due to a head injury, was replaced by Anantaza Siphongphan, and Khammanh Thapaseut came in for Bounpheng Xaisombut.
Malaysia’s forward Romel Morales came close to breaking the deadlock early on after intercepting a loose ball and attempting a volley, but his effort flew narrowly over the crossbar. Moments later, another golden opportunity emerged when Dion Cools sent in a teasing cross, though Morales arrived just a fraction late to connect.
By the 15th minute, Laos had dropped deep with all players behind the ball, forced to defend as Malaysia controlled possession and applied pressure in the attacking third. The Laotian goalkeeper Kop Lokphathip was tested several times but stood firm to deny the hosts.
Against the run of play, Laos stunned the home crowd in the 17th minute. A long-range effort from Chanthavixay Khounthoumphone took a wicked deflection off Sharul Saad’s head, altering the flight of the ball and wrong-footing goalkeeper Syihan Hazmi before nestling into the net — giving Laos a shock 1–0 lead.
Malaysia nearly found the equaliser in the 26th minute when La’Vere Corbin-Ong rose highest to meet a corner, but his powerful header was brilliantly stopped by the alert Laos custodian.
The 38th minute saw Malaysia threaten again through a blistering counterattack led by Arif Aiman, whose quick run split the Laotian defence. He laid the ball off to Romel Morales, who unleashed a low-driven shot toward the far post — but it flashed just wide, denying Malaysia a much-needed equaliser before the break.
Just seconds before the halftime whistle, Malaysia almost drew level once more when a looping cross found its way into the box, but the resulting header lacked power and was comfortably gathered by the ever-reliable Kop Lokphathip, keeping Laos ahead at the interval.
The breakthrough finally came in the 58th minute, when Faisal Halim stepped up to curl home a stunning freekick from just outside the box. His precise strike bent over the wall and dipped past the diving Laos goalkeeper, igniting the Bukit Jalil crowd and bringing Malaysia level at 1–1.
Just six minutes later, Romel Morales finally found his long-awaited goal in national colours — ending a year-long drought. The move began with Arif Aiman, who burst down the right flank before delivering a perfectly weighted cut-back across the face of goal. Morales made no mistake this time, slotting the ball calmly into the bottom corner to give Malaysia a 2–1 lead and send the home fans into jubilation.
Malaysia’s relentless pressure paid off again in the 69th minute, when Dion Cools met Arif Aiman’s cross with a well-timed header across goal, allowing Morales to tap the ball in from close range — doubling his tally and extending Malaysia’s lead to 3–1.
In the 79th minute, Malaysia’s dominance was further rewarded when a miscommunication in the Laotian defence saw 17-year-old centre-back Khammanh Thapaseut inadvertently turn the ball into his own net, giving Malaysia a comfortable 4–1 lead.
Moments later, in the 82nd minute, substitute Paulo Josue replaced Faisal Halim and made an instant impact — finding the net shortly after coming on to register his 10th international goal, extending Malaysia’s lead to 5–1.
The match ended 5–1 in favour of Malaysia, who remain firmly on top of Group F as their march toward the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 continues in style.
Credit Photo : AFC
