Despite being eliminated in the group stage, the Malaysian national team left a lasting mark at the AFC Asian Cup 2023 Finals in Qatar, especially for the thrilling 3-3 draw with heavy favourites and eventual runner-up South Korea.
Lauded as one of the finest matches of the whole tournament, the 3-3 draw also saw one of the best goals in the continental football championship, which was Faisal Halim’s equaliser in the 50th minute.
Faisal Halim’s stunning equaliser against South Korea IS the best goal of the tournament!
Actually, scrap that, the goal wasn’t one of the best goals of the tournament but IT WAS indeed the best goal of the tournament, as voted by fans.
While the result hasn’t been announced yet, the goal had an overwhelming number of votes before voting was closed earlier today on the AFC Asian Cup 2023’s official website.
As reported by Sinar Harian, Faisal garnered a whopping 85% of the votes, leaving other nominees behind. These include Jordan’s Mousa Al Tamari (9%), South Korea’s Son Heung-min (3%), Thailand’s Supachock Sarachat (1%) and Iran’s Sardar Azmoun (1%).
Besides that, 3 other nominees didn’t even have enough votes to make up a percentage.
Your #AsianCup2023 Goal of the Tournament Nominees!⚽️
Which goal stood out the most to you?🤔
Vote now on🔗 : https://t.co/HfwOfA5px4 @continentaltire | #ContiGoals pic.twitter.com/5yDV3POXrI
— #AsianCup2023 (@afcasiancup) February 21, 2024
In case you missed the epic match, 26-year-old Faisal Halim caught the South Korean defence and goalkeeper by surprise with a cheeky shot from the edge of the penalty box after Harimau Malaya had seemingly wasted to a chance to score.
The goal is even more impressive when you consider that South Korea’s centre-back whom Faisal deceived, Kim Min-jae, plays for German and European football giant Bayern Munich at the club level.
Another Harimau Malaya player was recognised as a future star by the AFC
Previously, the AFC also lauded Faisal’s goal as a miracle which took place during the Asian Cup 2023.
Besides that, Harimau Malaya’s 21-year-old Arif Aiman was also recognised by AFC as a future star.
🇲🇾An amazing performance from the young Malaysian, weaving magic on the field! @NEOM | #FutureStars | #AsianCup2023 pic.twitter.com/RZb6NztdwL
— #AsianCup2023 (@afcasiancup) February 13, 2024
Awesome! Congratulations Faisal Halim and Arif Aiman for the recognition.
Let’s hope that these achievements will be a catalyst for him and the Harimau Malaya squad to improve further in the international football scene.
Also read: M’sian Footballer Brendan Gan Shares Inspiring 2-Year Journey From Cancer Diagnosis to Asian Cup
