TIGER ROARS

Malaysian Tiger hero Azamuddin (inset) and Mahali Jasuli

MALAYSIAN Tiger justify their worth to be in the semi-final AFF Suzuki Cup 2012 with morale booster 2-0 win against neighbour Indonesia in their last group match at Bukit Jalil National Stadium watched by a full capacity crowd last night.

Despite the win, it is still not enough for coach Rajagopal side to top the table after Singapore defeated Laos 4-3 to emerge as group winners on goal difference. Which was the Malaysian own doing for squandering numerous chances in their 4-1 win against Laos. 

But overall the Malaysian fans did not bother whether we came in first or second as long as we qualify and the best part is by defeating our main rival - Indonesia is all that matters.

The semi-final match is a totally different ball game for we have to play it twice - home and away against the undefeated group A Champions Thailand. Coach K. Rajagopal have at least 4 days to motivate and make a amend and correct those earlier mistake before facing the Thais in the 1st leg at Bukit Jalil National Stadium on Sunday 9th December.

For the game last night, in the early part of the match the Indonesia did rattled us and the team struggle and the defenders are back pedalling most of the time. Nil Maizar men put on a relentless pressure right from the kick-off and it nearly paid off. 

The Malaysia team finds it really hard to get over and looks like just waiting for the bubble to be burst. But that's it football, one goal can make a lot of difference in terms of morale and confidence towards the team and that goal by Pahang's hit man Azamuddin Akil just did the trick for the Malaysia to gain the upperhand.

In took just three minutes blitz, which saw Rajagopal men are 2-0 ahead. Mahali Jasuli who was out favour in the national side prove his worth once again. The defender swing in a cross in the box which Azzamuddin Akil came in behind a defender to connect it first time into the left hand corner of the goal in the 26th minute.

Classy footwork - Zack

The second one was a little bit of class act. Mahali laid a through ball for Wan Zack Haikal deep inside the Indonesian defence. The S-League best player Haikal then runs for it and check the ball back inside and with a nice footwork pull it back and relay a sweet touch for the advancing Mahali who came running from behind three minutes later.

His first touch was perfect for him to make a run and calmly place the ball over the Indonesia goalkeeper Wahyu into the roof of the net.

But still there is more than an hour left for Indonesians to stage a comeback but the Malaysians Tiger stood well. Only a few occasions with the introduction of Andik did give our defence some anxious moment with his running. Overall good job lads. Whats matters most is winning and the country is behind you once again.