Malik earlier refereed the Japan-Jordan (9 January) and Qatar-Kuwait (16 January) matches in this tournament.

The Singaporean was born on 11 January 1968 and has been an international referee since 2002. Malik’s first international match was between Cambodia and Vietnam.

His mother tongue is Malay and he also speaks fluent English.

Malik’s hobbies are reading, football, cycling and watching movies.

The AFC Champions League final (first leg) 2008 between Gamba Osaka and Adelaide United is his fondest memory till date.

Malik will be assisted by countrymen Jeffrey Goh and Haja Maidin in the match.