Like many of his team mates on the night, the atmosphere at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium affected Safawi Rasid's game when the first whistle was blew as Indonesia flew out of their blocks to put Malaysia under intense pressure in the opening match of the Group G joint 2022 World Cup and 2023 Asian Cup qualification.
But together, they found their feet and the rest was history. Gaining control of the match, Malaysia grew in confidence as Indonesia faded away. Safawi had gone close with two free kick attempts in the first half and it was his pinpoint cross in the second half that provided the second equaliser of the match, for Syafiq Ahmad to nod in from close range.