HEROES, every single one of them.
Safee Sali added to the excitement by finishing as top scorer with five goals and it was his cool finish eight minutes after the break which virtually settled the second leg after goalkeeper Khairul Fahmi Che Mat had rescued Malaysia with a penalty save in the first half.
The closest Indonesia came to a goal in the first half was an 18th-minute penalty, awarded by Australian referee Peter Green after Sabre Mat Abu handled the ball.
Skipper Firman Utina, however, struck weakly as Fahmi made an easy save to his left.
Ashaari Samsuddin twice came close to killing the tie for Malaysia with a left-footer that went wide and a slalom and shot which Markus Harrison in the Indonesia goal punched clear.
But Ashaari's lack of defensive discipline often left Malaysia exposed on the flank and Indonesia nearly took advantage with Cristian Gonzales, Muhammad Ridwan and Arif Suyono all going close late on.
Had Amar Rohidan not headed off Ridwan's lob in first half stoppage time, with the aid of the cross bar, Malaysia would have trooped off at half-time with their lead slashed. Ashaari, however, proved a capable replacement for Amirulhadi Zainal when Malaysia scored against the run of play in the 53rd minute.
The Terengganu winger intercepted a pass and spotted Safee making a run through the middle and found the striker with a pin-point pass.
Safee took the ball in his stride, shrugged off the attention of the Indonesian centre-backs and fired the ball past a helpless Markus.
From then on it was about seeing out the game and protecting the four-goal even if there was more than half an hour to go and Indonesia throwing on Bambang Pamungkas in a sign of desperation. Mohammad Nasuha bagged an equaliser in the 71st minute off a rebound after Fahmi had saved a strike on goal before Ridwan's attempt was deflected into goal by Muslim three minutes from time but it was too little too late.
The bravehearts in blue walked tall after conquering Indonesia in the cauldron of Bung Karno Stadium as skipper Safiq Rahim lifted the AFF Suzuki Cup after completing a 4-2 aggregate victory in Jakarta.
The 2-1 defeat in the second leg did not matter as the job had been done three days earlier in Bukit Jalil as Malaysia celebrated their first title in 14 years of trying in the competition. It was also Malaysia's first major success since the senior team won the 1989 Sea Games gold.
The 2-1 defeat in the second leg did not matter as the job had been done three days earlier in Bukit Jalil as Malaysia celebrated their first title in 14 years of trying in the competition. It was also Malaysia's first major success since the senior team won the 1989 Sea Games gold.
Safee Sali added to the excitement by finishing as top scorer with five goals and it was his cool finish eight minutes after the break which virtually settled the second leg after goalkeeper Khairul Fahmi Che Mat had rescued Malaysia with a penalty save in the first half.
The defence, led by the stout Muslim Ahmad and Fadhli Shas, held firm against the waves of attack from the home team but K. Rajagobal's tactics were spot on to send 95,000 fans home disappointed.
A cagey start by both teams meant there little by way of goal-mouth action early on.
A cagey start by both teams meant there little by way of goal-mouth action early on.
The closest Indonesia came to a goal in the first half was an 18th-minute penalty, awarded by Australian referee Peter Green after Sabre Mat Abu handled the ball.
Skipper Firman Utina, however, struck weakly as Fahmi made an easy save to his left.
Ashaari Samsuddin twice came close to killing the tie for Malaysia with a left-footer that went wide and a slalom and shot which Markus Harrison in the Indonesia goal punched clear.
But Ashaari's lack of defensive discipline often left Malaysia exposed on the flank and Indonesia nearly took advantage with Cristian Gonzales, Muhammad Ridwan and Arif Suyono all going close late on.
Had Amar Rohidan not headed off Ridwan's lob in first half stoppage time, with the aid of the cross bar, Malaysia would have trooped off at half-time with their lead slashed. Ashaari, however, proved a capable replacement for Amirulhadi Zainal when Malaysia scored against the run of play in the 53rd minute.
The Terengganu winger intercepted a pass and spotted Safee making a run through the middle and found the striker with a pin-point pass.
Safee took the ball in his stride, shrugged off the attention of the Indonesian centre-backs and fired the ball past a helpless Markus.
From then on it was about seeing out the game and protecting the four-goal even if there was more than half an hour to go and Indonesia throwing on Bambang Pamungkas in a sign of desperation. Mohammad Nasuha bagged an equaliser in the 71st minute off a rebound after Fahmi had saved a strike on goal before Ridwan's attempt was deflected into goal by Muslim three minutes from time but it was too little too late.
"We were confident of winning it here as we have shown against Thailand and Vietnam previously that we are good enough.
"We always knew Indonesia would come at us and we relied on the counter to try to score a goal. I knew a goal would come and after we scored, there was no way they were going to put five past us."
Khairul Fahmi Che Mat's penalty save was the defining moment of the match although Rajagobal said it would not have mattered had Firman Utina scored.
"So what if they scored the penalty? I know in your minds that it would have changed things but it would not. We still would have been able to score and then it is back to square one for them.
"Safee (Sali) scored a beautiful goal from a defence-splitting pass and that is exactly why we are the champions because we are the better team."
Watching the match on air last night make me feel so excited on how Malaysia team played the very best level they can to defend our goal as well to attack when there is opportunity to do so....
"We always knew Indonesia would come at us and we relied on the counter to try to score a goal. I knew a goal would come and after we scored, there was no way they were going to put five past us."
Khairul Fahmi Che Mat's penalty save was the defining moment of the match although Rajagobal said it would not have mattered had Firman Utina scored.
"So what if they scored the penalty? I know in your minds that it would have changed things but it would not. We still would have been able to score and then it is back to square one for them.
"Safee (Sali) scored a beautiful goal from a defence-splitting pass and that is exactly why we are the champions because we are the better team."
credit to : www.nst.com.my
Indonesian Supporters comment:
Indonesian football fans who congregated at the Indonesian embassy compound here to watch the AFF Suzuki Cup final live felt dejected following their team’s defeat.
“I am disappointed as I wanted Indonesia to win but the Malaysian side were very strong, especially their defence,” said Mohd Soleh, 28, after Malaysia’s 4-2 aggregate victory yesterday.
“I am disappointed as I wanted Indonesia to win but the Malaysian side were very strong, especially their defence,” said Mohd Soleh, 28, after Malaysia’s 4-2 aggregate victory yesterday.
He was among the hundreds of fans who cheered “IN-DO-NE-SIA” non-stop till the end of the second leg match. The fans had been optimistic before the start of the match and had predicted Indonesia would score more than three goals to overturn the first leg deficit and win the title. Embassy staffer Syukur Kassim, 35, said the match outcome was fair and the better team won.
“Both teams were really strong but this year, luck was with the Malaysian team. They deserved to win,” said Syukur.
Another diehard fan, Abilah, 25, said he knew it would be an uphill task for Indonesia despite playing on home ground after falling three goals behind from the first leg of the final. “Clearly, Malaysia were too strong this time. But we will bring home the cup in the next tournament,” he added.
The Minister Counsellor (Information, Social and Culture) of the embassy, Widyarka Ryananta, said both teams were heroes as they played with vigour and tried their best to win.
“The Indonesian team had many chances but failed to penetrate Malaysia’s solid defence. Still, they managed to score two goals and the team should be proud of themselves.
“I would also take the opportunity to congratulate the Malaysian team for their splendid performance,” said Widyarka.
MY REMARKS:
Watching the match on air last night make me feel so excited on how Malaysia team played the very best level they can to defend our goal as well to attack when there is opportunity to do so....
Yes once again we can see the rage of the Indonesian supporters when they did spot the laser on Khairul Fahmi on the 1st half...But did he complained? Did he stopped the game due to that? Did he asked the Malaysian Player to leave the game? No he didn't! Yes the Malaysian player are more professional than the Indonesian player..If Indonesia lose the first leg it is due to Markus action stopping the match and distract his own team...
If the Indonesian supproters saying that Malaysia cheated on the first leg by way of the laser then what about when Khairul Fahmi denies the penalty kick by Firman? Is there somenone pointing laser on Firman? By whom? we played in front of 95,000 of Indonesian supporters did we??
Let us set aside the issue of laser in this AFF Suzuki Cup and accept this with open heart that in a game there must be a winner...Malaysia had played full hearted to received this honor and Indonesia also showing great performance last night...Salute for both team...>_<
MALAYSIA BOLEH!!!!
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