MALAYSIA turn on the tide in second half with two goals through Safi Salie in the 61st and 80th minute as they shocked defending champions Vietnam 2-0 in the 1st leg semi-final of the AFF Suzuki Cup 2010 at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil last night.
The 26-year-old Selangor's striker who fails to impress in the earlier group match repaid the faith of coach K.Rajagopal on him capped a fine performance last night with a double and should have notched a hat trick had the referee not disallowed his earlier effort.
It was a touch an go affair with both teams start at a furious pace right from the kick-off. The defending champions looks far more formidable at the back disposing every threat at whatever the Malaysian throws at them. As expected the speedy Vietnamese rely quick counter attack but fails to break the home stout defence led by Mohd Muslim Ahamad.
This time the Malaysian defence shown great character to hold their ground by not making any marginal defensive errors to keep Henrique Calisto's men at bay. Occasionally they had a few couple of chances on target but goalkeeper Khairul Fahmi certainly kept his goal well.
In the second half with more 20,000 home crowd spurred on the Malaysian and they began to gain more confidence into the match. In the 52nd minute Malaysia had a goal disallowed when Safi Salie thumping header beat goalkeeper Bui Tan Truong for the first time, brought cheers to the home fans. But referee Sun Baojie of China signal for infringement.
A minute later, nippy S. Kunanlan curling shot just went wide of the post. Then came the opener. The referee awarded a free-kick 15 yards outside the box which captain Safiq Rahim took it. Safi Salie rose high to guide his header straight into the Vietnamese goalkeeper, Bui Tan Truong. But to his horror, the ball slipped through his hand to give Malaysia the lead right on the hour mark.
With a goal down, the defending champions began to push more men forward searching for the equaliser. As they began to pile on the pressure but they were dealt with a severe blow when the Malaysian quick counter attack saw Safi Salie scored his second of the night in 80th minute.
Selangor's midfielder, Safiq Rahim powerful drive just outside the box was palmed away by Truong but went straight into Safi Salie path as the striker blast with his left foot into the net.
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