Malaysia's 2015 Asian Cup hopes fade

Malaysia's hopes of making the 2015 Asian Cup finals are fast fading following the 0-1 loss to Bahrain in a Group D qualifying round match at Bahrain National Stadium last night.

With two matches left, Malaysia are in the third spot with four points after four matches while Bahrain top Group D with 10 points, one more than Qatar in second place.

In the game, Bahrain's lethal striker Abdulla Ahmed Saleh almost struck a goal as early as the fifth minute but was saved by national goalkeeper Khairul Fahmi Che Mat.

In the second half, the national squad under Datuk K. Rajagobal made several attacks with Mohd Amri Yahyah attempting twice to score in the 46th and 58th minute but failed.

Ismaeel Abdulatif was the toast of Bahrain when he netted the winning goal in the 72nd minute.

Meanwhile, in another Group D match at Sheikh Khalifah International Stadium in Uited Arab Emirates (UAE) last night, Qatar collected three full points when they demolised Yemen 4-0.

The Harimau Malaya squad will next meet Qatar at Shah Alam Stadium on Tuesday before completing the group schedule against Yemen in March next year.