KUALA LUMPUR: The national youth team created history in the AFC Under-23 Championship when they defeated Saudi Arabia 1-0 in a Group C match to qualify for the quarter-finals at the Kunshan Stadium on Tuesday.
Ong Kim Swee’s side finished second with four points behind Iraq, who topped the group on seven following a 1-0 win over Jordan.
The coach only made one change to the team that drew 1-1 with Jordan last week by fielding R. Kogileswaran for Jafri Firdaus Chew in attack while Safawi Rasid and Akhyar Rashid, who were down with injuries before the game, also played.
Saudi Arabia started aggressively and had several chances but the Malaysian defence stood firm.
Fahad Al Rashidi’s free kick rattled the Malaysian crossbar in the third minute while goalkeeper Haziq Nadzli blocked Abdulelah Alamri’s header in the 16th minute.
However, it was Malaysia who took the lead through Daniel Amier Norhisham in the 28th minute after receiving a pass from Matthew Davies.
In the second half, the Saudis used long balls to trouble Malaysia, but Kim Swee’s boys defended well to hold on to the win.
Malaysia will play the champions of Group D, comprising Australia, South Korea, Vietnam and Syria, on Jan 20.