Malaysia failed to advance to the last eight of the AFC Futsal Championship after losing 6-2 to Qatar in their final Group D match in Tashkent, Uzbekistan yesterday.
The defeat saw Malaysia, led by Brazilian Marcelo Serpa, in last place after losing all three of their group stage matches.
Malaysia managed to draw first blood when Akmalrulnizam Mohd Idris scored in the second minute, before Qatar equalized a minute later, through Mohamed Ali.
Qatar took the lead in the fifth minute through Saad Bilal Al-Shahwani, followed by two goals from Hadi Jaber Al-Braidi. Afif Asyraf managed to pull one back as he scored Malaysia’s second goal in the 18th minute.
Lucas Oliviera then scored two goals in quick succession to ensure a third-placed finish in Group D, managing one win in the process.
The other match saw reigning champions Japan secure a top spot finish in Group D after beating Australia 3-1. Japan finished the group with nine points while Australia managed two wins out of three matches. Both teams will advance to the next round of the championship.
Malaysia lost their first match 2-1 to Australia on Thursday, before being thrashed 11-1 at the hands of Japan a few days ago.
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