Malaysia to play Suzuki Cup final with Thailand after 5-4 win on aggregate over Vietnam

Malaysia had lost 1-2 to Vietnam in the first leg semifinal match in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday. And in the return leg today in Hanoi, the visiting team Malaysia surpassed Vietnam 4-2.

At the second minute, defender Ngoc Hai played foul against Malaysian midfielder Indra Putra from behind when he was in the box and Malaysia was awarded a penalty shot. Defender Safiq Rahim defeated Vietnamese goalkeeper Nguyen Manh to open the scoring.

In the first leg game in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday, it was Rahim who had an opening goal for Malaysia on the penalty shot before Vietnam scored two goals later to seal a 2-1 win.

At the 15th minute, keeper Manh and defender Van Bien ‘gifted’ Malaysia the second goal following a long pass from the midfield by midfielder Badhri Radzi. Bien and Manh resigned the ball to each other, giving the chance to defender Idlan Talaha to have the ball and double the advantage to 2-0.

Six minutes later, Vietnam shortened the gap to 2-1 thanks to a goal from the penalty kick after Vietnam striker Cong Vinh was pulled to fall down in the Malaysian box.

At the 29th minute, Malaysia lifts up the result to 3-1 after Vietnam’s central defender Tien Thanh ‘donated’ the visiting team another goal by making an own goal.

Malaysia extended the gap to 4-1 from a corner kick on the right at the 43rd minute. The ball was crossed to the midfield in front of the Vietnamese box and striker Fadhli Shas headed the ball to defender Shukor Adan, who successfully cushioned home the fourth goal for Malaysia.

The host Vietnam shortened the arrears to 2-4 thanks to a goal by Cong Vinh in the 79th minute. From an attack launched from the midfield, Vinh was set up in a favor position and blasted a shot to defeat Malaysian keeper Farizal Marlias.

Officiating the match today in Hanoi is Japanese referees, with Toma Masaaki the main referee, assisted by two linesmen Otsuka Haruhiro and Ochi Shinji, and the fourth official is Kimura Hhiroyuki. Thai referee Russamee Jindamai is the supervisor of the refereeing of the match.

After the first leg match in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday, a group of aggressive Malaysian host fans attacked Vietnamese supporters by hurling glass bottles to injure several visiting fans watching the match at Shah Alam Stadium.

Malaysian Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin reportedly sent an apology to Vietnamese fans for what was caused by “irresponsible thugs.”

Yesterday, Thailand beat the Philippines 3-0 in the second leg game after a goalless draw in the first leg in Manila last week.

The 2014 Suzuki Cup finale will be played on a home and away basis on December 17 and 20.