MALAYSIA DEFEATED LAOS 5-1 INTO THE SEMI-FINALS

MALAYSIA booked their ticket in the semi-final of the AFF Suzuki Cup 2010 in great fashion when they thrashed Laos 5-1 at the empty Jaka Baring Stadium, Palembang in their last group A match last night. 



With the odd all against them they kept their nerve throughout the 90 minutes and put their heart out and deservely came out on top as they go for a win.

Despite the huge win, the celebrations was put on hold after the referee blows the final whistle. For they need to wait the outcome of Indonesia and Thailand match at Gelora Bung Karno, Senayan. If  the Thais win then it is goodbye for the national side. 

Then suddenly the Malaysian team erupted for joy together with their coach K.Rajagopal  when they heard the news Thailand lost 2-1 to Indonesia with former Selangor's Bambang Pamungkas scoring two goals and what it was a memorable moment for them after suffered a few setback in their first  match.     

Earlier there were rumuors heard that the Indonesian who has already qualified will put on a second team when they face Thailand in their last match. But the Indonesian showed they really meant business to be the new force of Asean football with a comeback from behind a 2-1 win.

The first semi-final match which will be played at the National Bukit Jalil Stadium, Kuala Lumpur on the 15th of December. Malaysia as the Group A runners up will meet Group B champions which only will be known after Group B final match tomorrow night. Their likely opponent  is still undecided either Philipines, Singapore or defending champions Vietnam.     

It was a much better display by the Malaysian side when they took an early lead as early in the 4th minute through Amri Yahyah bravely diving header from Norshahrul Idlan Talaha cross. But Laos quick to replied and drew level just four minutes later when a harmless looking cross was poorly read by the Malaysian defence as the unmarked Lamnoum Singto planted his header past the bewildered Khairul Fahmi.

The goal stunned the Malaysian as David Booth's men gain more confidence and they began to dominate the play but Amri Yahyah quick to restored Rajagopal's side into a 2-1 lead just four minutes before the break. Captain Safiq Rahim laid a perfect cross in the box for Amri to connect home. 

In the second half it was quite a close affair with both teams fails to create any clear cut chances. The Malaysians side then turn on their gears with two goals quick goals within three minutes to seal the match through Mohd Amirulhadi Zainal and Nurshahrul Idlan Talaha in the 74th and 77th minute respectively.

Defender Mahalli Jasuli put his name on the scoresheet in the dying minutes for the Malaysian fifth goal.