This was a game between a 158th ranked Malaysia against a 116th ranked Tajikistan but on the evidence of how the match transpired, it looked very much like a match-up between two equal teams. In fact Malaysia dominated much of the play and at the end, deservedly went away with a very encouraging win at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium.
Having just scored at the same venue in the Malaysia Cup final just a week ago, Safawi Rasid once again was the decider for his team as his solitary goal in the second half was sufficient to secure the win and set Tan Cheng Hoe's boys into a confident mood ahead of two crucial home matches in the 2022 World Cup qualifier.