KUALA LUMPUR: The national team stretched their winless run to 11 matches as Tan Cheng Hoe's first game in charge of Malaysia ended in a 2-2 draw with Mongolia in an international friendly at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil earlier today.
Akhyar Rashid became the first Malaysian to score on his debut since Ahmad Hazwan Bakri in 2012, but Malaysia remain winless since beating Cambodia 3-2 at the AFF Cup in November 2016.
Cheng Hoe, who fielded nine players from Super League champions Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) in the starting line-up, with Mahalli Jasuli and Matthew Davies the odd ones out, handed international debuts to Spain-born Natxo Insa and goalkeeper Haziq Nadzli.
Akhyar and Ariff Farhaan Isa came on later as substitutes to win their first cap. Missing from the squad were naturalised players La'Vere Corbin-Ong and Kiko Insa.
After a tepid opening 30 minutes, the first meeting between 178th-ranked Malaysia and No 189 Mongolia was enlivened in the 31st minute when Mongolia captain Turbat Daginaa headed Safawi Rasid's corner kick into his own net.
Mongolia equalised in the 42nd minute when a slip up by centre-back Fadhli Shas proved costly as it sent Enkhbileg Purevdorj through on goal with the Mongolian forward nonchalantly lobbing Haziq.
Akhyar, on for Mahalli at half-time, was a constant threat down both flanks and the 18-year-old Kedah winger marked his international debut with a goal in the 65th minute when firing in a deflected shot after coming in from the left.
But Mongolia pegged Malaysia back for a second time when Gankhuyag Ser-od-Yaniv fired in a free-kick from out wide to beat Haziq at his near post in the 72nd minute.
Fadhli directed a header from Nazmi Faiz Mansor's free-kick on to the far post with 12 minutes remaining before Wan Zack Haikal Wan Nor's free-kick struck the crossbar.
Malaysia play Lebanon in an Asian Cup qualifier in Beirut on Tuesday before hosting Nepal in another friendly on Apr 1 (Sunday).