MALAYSIAN football team really did made us proud when they emerged victorious with a second half breathtaking display to hand favourites Indonesia a 3-0 defeat in the 1st leg AFF Suzuki Cup final at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil last night.Three goals blitz in the second half through Safee Sali (61st,73rd) and substitute Ashaari Shamsuddin in the 68th minute gave K.Rajagopal's men a healthy first leg advantage coming into the second leg at Gelora Bung Karno Senayan Stadium on Wednesday.
The Malaysian produce another historic performance to outshine their neighbour. Another repeat of the Vietnam performance was again put on show last night to send Alfred Reidl's men in arrays. But this time it was much better display by the Malaysian.
As we expected an anticipated clash between the two neighbouring countries was on the card. The Indonesian really wants to prove that they are much better and experience side, implies on more positive approach and not afraid of going forward with a 4-4-2 formation. Yonki Aribowo was brought in to partner Cristian Gonzales upfront.
While K. Rajagopal field the same line up against Vietnam with Mahali Jasli back in defence to replace Sabree Mat Abu at the rightback position.
In the 18th minute, speedy S. Kunanlan jinx his way past two defenders on the left before let fly a powerful shot which was deflected by an Indonesian defender before went straight into Markus Horison waiting arms.
The visitor midfield engine room led by captain Firman Utina, Octa Manani, Muhammad Ridwan and Ahmed Bustomi looks much more lively than the homeside. The real threat came in the 25th minute when Indonesia had a glorious opportunity to take the lead.
Ahmed Bustomi neat one-two with Cristian Gonzales, free the midfielder just outside the box but saw his attempt just went wide of target after a strong challenge by Ahamad Muslim.
But captain's Safiq Rahim should have easily put the Malaysian into the lead after defender Zulkifli blunder giving away the ball to Safiq. With goalkeeper Markus is already out of position the Selangor midfielder lobbed was too far out.
In the second half, Rajagopal made one change with Ashaari Shamsuddin coming on for uneffective Amirulhadi with S.Kunanlan shifting on the right.
The visitor did managed to score but Cristian Gonzales effort was rule for offside by the referee Toma Maasaki from Japan.
As the Malaysian began to exert more pressure. In the 52nd minute, they were awarded a free-kick just outside the box as Safiq was about to take the free kick. The Indonesian goalkeeper Markus ran towards the referee blaming pointer laser beam has distrupt his vision and start to encourage his team mates to walk out.
The Japanese referee eventually blew his whistle to stop the game until the match officials restored the situation. The match was put on hold for nearly eight minutes before resume back.
In the 61st minute then came the opening goal. Indonesian defender, Maman Abdurrahman try to block Norsharul Idlan Talha as the ball was going across the line. The striker slipped in from behind and worked his way along the line and race into the box. First he dummied a defender before slipping a perfect pass between host of legs for Safee Sali to tuck it home.
Then seven minutes minutes later, Norshahrul again proved to be the torn in the Indonesian defence. Again the Kelantan forward showed his delightful touch gleefully work his way into the box past three defenders. His cross struck a defender and was deflected straight into Ashaari path. The current Malaysian Super League top scorer wasted no time to show his deadly touches by delivering Malaysia's second goal.
The Malaysian fans turns into frenzy and the thought of Vietnam result suddenly came into the picture. As just everybody tought the 2-0 scoreline likely to remain. In the 73rd minute, Safee Sali had other idea as he capped another remarkable performance. He dealt the Indonesian with another blow with his second goal of the night.
Defender Mahali Jasli deliver a perfect cross for the unmarked Selangor's striker to thump in a powerful header past Markus.The goal was his fourth in the tournament made him as the tournament current top scorer.
The Republic Czech bound Mahali could have given Malaysia goal number four after the defender demonstrate his dribbling skill beating past several defender at ease right from the halfway line. But Markus quick intervention deny him a goal.
