PETALING JAYA (27 March 2011) – Malaysia held Singapore’s S-League champions Etoile FC to a 1-1 draw in a friendly that was played last night at the artificial turf of the Jalan Besar Stadium.
The ASEAN champions, who had scored a 2-0 win over Hong Kong at the Shah Alam Stadium last month, took the lead in the seventh minute of play off a header from Ahmad Fakri Saarani following a cross from Mohd Asraruddin Putra Omar to beat Etoile FC keeper, Antonin Trilles.
With the 1-0 lead at the break, Malaysian chief coach K. Rajagobal made several changes to his starting line-up and that allowed Etoile FC to push forward in search of the equalising goal.
And after coming close on several occasions, the French side finally scored in the 62nd minute when Hicham Bouchemlal slammed home.
The Malaysians are using the game as part of their preparation for the FIFA World Cup 2014 qualifying round which will be start in June.