The national Olympic football squad face an uhill task qualifying for the London Olympics after losing 2-3 to Bahrain in their third round match in Group C of the Asian Zone Qualifier at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil here Sunday.
On Wednesday, Malaysia lost 0-2 to Syria in their second group match at the same venue.
Tonight's hotly contested match was witnessed by about 30,000 home fans.
The Under-22 squad under coach Ong Kim Swee started out fiercely when Wan Zack Haikal Wan Noor made a try as early as the 7th minute but his weak attempt was saved by Bahrain goalkeeper Ashraf Waheed Al Sebaie.
Muhammad Nazmi Faiz Mansor then succeeded in breaking the deadlock in the 29th minute through a left foot drive from two metres outside the penalty box.
During the early part of the second half, Mahalli Jasuli made full use of chaotic conditions in front of the Bahrain goal to score again for the "Harimau Muda" in the 67th minute.
Pressured by the 0-2 position, the visitors coached by Salman Shareeda then got their striking act together and a bicycle kick by Saad Salah Az Amer shook the Malaysian goal in the 80th minute.
The Harimau Muda squad continued to suffer misfortune when Isa Ahmed Muthanna scored two goals in sucession in the 85th and 86th minutes.
The Harimau Muda are scheduled to meet Bahrain again in the return leg match on Feb 2 before hosting Japan on Feb 22.
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