Safawi Rasid was Malaysia's star against Kyrgyzstan as Ong Kim Swee's boys secured a 3-1 win in their 2018 Asian Games opening match on Wednesday.

At the Jalak Harupat Stadium in Soreang, Indonesia, the 21-year-old Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) winger was involved in all three goals.


He opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 38th minute after Akhyar Rashid was brought down inside the area to give the Tigers a 1-0 lead going into the half-time.

Ernist Batyrkanov managed to equalise for the Central Asian nation in the 55th minute, but Safawi helped his side retake the lead five minutes later by setting up Akhyar Rashid's half-volley effort.

Syafiq Ahmad then sealed the win for Malaysia in the 78th minute, heading in Safawi's cross following a blistering counter-attack.

Malaysia will next face defending champions South Korea on Friday at 7:30pm (Malaysia time).

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