PETALING JAYA: The goal by Harimau Malaya striker Faisal Abdul Halim in Malaysia’s match against South Korea was voted the best goal of the 2023 Asian Cup.
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) announced that Faisal won the best goal award on its social media platforms today.
Selangor striker Faisal, 26, scored the goal in the 3-3 draw against South Korea in a group match in Doha, Qatar, on Jan 25.
Malaysia were trailing 1-0 at the break against the Koreans but were pushing hard for an equaliser when Faisal found the back of the net with a sublime finish.
After receiving the ball in the penalty area, Faisal eased past Bayern Munich centreback Kim Min Jae – rated as one of the best defenders in the world – on the left flank before chipping it past the onrushing Jo Hyeon Woo in goal.
The draw, however, failed to take Malaysia into the knockout stage as only the top two teams in each group and the four best third-placed teams progressed.
Last Wednesday, the AFC announced that eight of the 132 goals scored in the tournament, held from Jan 12 to Feb 10, were shortlisted for polling online.
The Penang-born Faisal garnered 85% of the total votes just before the voting came to a close yesterday.
