In an electrifying opening to their 2027 Asian Cup Group F qualifying campaign, Malaysia's national football team, Harimau Malaya, secured a solid 2-0 victory against Nepal at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium in Iskandar Puteri on Tuesday (March 25).

The match saw a stunning debut from midfielder Hector Hevel, who showcased his talent with a stunning long-range shot that found the back of the net in the 29th minute. Hevel, who currently plays for Portimonense in the Portuguese second division, proved to be a pivotal player throughout the match, making quick passes and orchestrating plays with his teammates.

His influence was evident in Malaysia's second goal, which came from a quickly taken free-kick executed by midfielder Endrick dos Santos. Hevel, positioned perfectly, made a no-look through pass to winger Arif Aiman Hanapi. The swift move culminated in wingback La’veere Corbin-Ong finishing the move with a low-cross in the 71st minute, sealing the victory for Malaysia.

Despite the anticipation of a more significant scoreline against Nepal, ranked 175th in the world, fans were encouraged by the aggressiveness and efficient ball possession displayed by Malaysia under new national coach Peter Cklamovski. The Malaysian team, currently ranked 132nd globally, is showing promising signs of improvement and development.

However, missed opportunities lingered, as Malaysia could have opened the scoring much earlier. A dynamic play involving midfielders saw Arif deliver a cross that was narrowly headed over the bar by dos Santos in just the seventh minute. Furthermore, Arif himself squandered a chance to add a goal, hitting the side netting instead of the target.

In another Group F match, Vietnam dominated Laos with an impressive 5-0 win, featuring a standout performance from striker Nguyen Van Vi, who netted two goals.

Looking ahead, Malaysia is set to face Vietnam in a highly anticipated clash at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil on June 10. The outcome of this match could significantly impact the group's standings and Malaysia's aspirations for the Asian Cup.