Naturalised Malaysian Sumareh made a dramatic instant impact on the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 Group G tie at the pulsating Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, drawing his side level at 1-1 just moments after coming on as a substitute in the 35th minute.

There was even greater drama to follow as the Gambian-born Sumareh then scored the goal that gave Malaysia a 3-2 win deep into stoppage time to spark wild celebrations.

Nishino’s first game in charge was a battle between fierce regional rivals, but neither could conjure a breakthrough goal at Thammasat Stadium, stretching Thailand’s winless run on home soil to five matches.

The Changsuek had won both encounters against Vietnam during the same round of qualifying in 2015, but, despite their inability to repeat that success on home soil, Nishino said the stalemate is a result from which his side can grow.

It was a day of high quality action as 32 of the 40 teams involved in this phase of the Asian Qualifiers got their campaigns underway.

The teams now have a four-day break before Matchday 2 on Tuesday, which will see Australia, China PR, Islamic Republic of Iran, Japan, Korea Republic and Saudi Arabia kicking off their campaigns.

In an ASEAN derby which saw Indonesia lead twice, Malaysia came to life in the second half and their determination paid off with Sumareh scoring in the sixth minute of added time.

Reigning regional champions Vietnam and a Thai side in their first match under head coach Akira Nishino both had their moments in Pathum Thani, but neither managed to find the breakthrough required to make a winning start to their campaign.

On a night of high drama at the Singapore National Stadium, Faris struck to ensure his side a point after Yemen’s Abdulwasea Al Matari and Mohsen Hasan had replied to Ikhsan Fandi’s early goal for the hosts.

Under the watchful gaze of recently installed head coach Tatsuma Yoshida, Singapore began brightly with Yemen goalkeeper Salem Saeed reacting superbly to keep out captain Hariss Harun’s seventh minute drive.

With Singapore continuing to dominate, Saeed was forced into action once again shortly after, this time denying Faris with yet another excellent stop.

The tie was a rematch of when the two teams met in the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 last January with Lebanon securing a 4-1 win over the East Asians.

However, DPR Korea had gathered a steady momentum coming into the Qualifiers after emerging champions in the 2019 Intercontinental Cup two months ago.