Malaysia was held to a 1-1 draw by Singapore during the return leg of the Asian Zone World Cup second round qualifiers at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil tonight.

Singapore therefore qualifies for the third round, based on a 6-4 aggregate after winning 5-3 during the first leg at the Jalan Bandar Stadium in Singapore last Saturday.

NONEMalaysia needed to win by at least two clear goals in order to pass the second round and come one step closer to qualifying for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

Earlier, some 85,000 Malaysian fans roared in triumph after Safee Sali delivered the first goal in the 58th minute.

But at the 73rd minute, the fans were silenced when Singapore’s Shia Jiayi struck back with an equaliser, ending Malaysia’s hope of create history by making it past the second round.

NONEPlay was stopped near the half-hour mark when Singapore goalkeeper Mohd Izwan Mahbud complained of laser light from the stands disrupting his vision.

A slow-motion replay confirmed that a green laser beam was directed at Izwan’s face just as he was giving instructions to his wall during a free kick.

Referee Takayama Hiroyoshi from Japan then called for an instruction to be relayed over the PA system banning the use of lazer pointers by fans, or risk the match being called off.