Football / AFF Suzuki Cup: Magnificent Malaysia

Malaysia’s Safee Sali tries to go past a Vietnam player in their AFF Suzuki Cup semi-final second leg at the My Dinh Stadium yesterday. The teams drew 0-0. — Picture by Khairul Ghazali

HANOI: It was not vintage football but it got the job done as Malaysia reached the final of the AFF Suzuki Cup for the first time in 14 years after holding Vietnam 0-0 in the semi-final second leg at the My Dinh Stadium for a 2-0 aggregate success.

Coach K. Rajagobal did not quite have a defensive posture in mind when he named his side for the second leg, but defend Malaysia did, stoutly and splendidly.

"We fought till the last drop of sweat and I have to salute the players," said Rajagobal after the game. "This success is for the players and the country.

"We defended well and kept our shape and I have to give credit to the players, rather than Vietnam who could not score against us on their home ground.
"The centre-backs were superb and the entire back four and Safiq Rahim kept their discipline. It was hard work and the result was well deserved."

Malaysia were pinned back for most of the first half, inviting pressure on themselves as the home team, featuring five changes from Wednesday, came at them in droves.

But for all of Vietnam's possession, goalkeeper Khairul Fahmi Che Mat was only called into action sparingly as centre-backs Muslim Ahmad and Fadhli Shas repelled waves of Vietnamese attacks.

Substitute Le Tan Tai had a volley on the turn saved a minute after coming on for injured midfielder Phan Van Tai Em while winger Pham Thanh Luong's angled header was dealt comfortably in the opening 20 minutes.

Fadhli deflected a shot over the bar which had Khairul Fahmi furiously back-pedalling in the 27th minute before Amirulhadi Zainal spurned a glorious chance to score for Malaysia four minutes later when he sliced his shot after being played in by Norshahrul Idlan Talaha.

Minutes after Khairul Fahmi denied Vietnam skipper Nguyen Minh Phuong's well struck free-kick after the break, Malaysia should have scored on the counter but Amirulhadi's final pass was short and the chance went begging.

Vietnam, too, should have been one up in the 62nd minute but striker Nguyen Viet Thang's point-blank header was straight at Khairul Fahmi.

But a double booking for Thanh Luong, first for simulation and then for dissent in the 72nd minute, eased Malaysia's burden although Vietnam kept plugging away with 10 men but to no avail.


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