Malaysia secured 2-0 win over Indonesia

Photo Courtesy from www.bumiyang.blogspot.com

It was all drizzling and drenched at Bukit Jalil National Stadium today as it contested one of the biggest match in the country, certainly with the fierce rival, Indonesia, having already met in the previous AFF Suzuki Cup 2010 edition, with Malaysia triumph all the way to clinch the title. Indonesia in the pole position to qualify for the next round, having already pick up four points from two matches, after 2-2 draw with Laos and narrow 1-0 victory over Singapore. In the final match of Group B, Indonesia only need to draw against Malaysia to qualify through to semi-final but have to wary of Malaysia's revival. After losing a heavy 3-0 defeat to rival Singapore in the first match, Malaysia hopes to defend the title came back alive with a convincing 4-1 win over Laos to level point with Singapore in the Group B. Now Malaysia have no other option but to beat Indonesia in order to qualify comfortably in the tournament. It was a much-needed win for the Malayan Tiger to boost their chances for the semi-final of AFF Suzuki Cup 2012.

As soon as the match started, Indonesia begin to attack and dominate in the early minute of the match, with chances created were almost converted to goals by Irfan Bachdim and Oktovianus Maniani. Malaysia trying to break the opposition attack, coupled with few chances but only some woeful passes and finishing. Yet, when Indonesia attacking severely, it was Malaysia who managed to get an early lead through crossing from Mahalli Jasuli which almost met Safee Sali's head but instead finding Azamuddin Akil with a powerful strike in the 26th minute, in which the ball past through Indonesian goalkeeper Wahyu Tri Nugroho straight to the bottom right corner of the net. Malaysia did not have to wait longer for the second goal, after dazzling run from a young winger Wan Zack Haikal that resulted a delightful pass to put full-back Mahalli Jasuli through on goal, to which he strikes to the top left corner of the net in the 29th minute to give Malaysia a comfortable lead. It was the goal that rounded off the whole match, after such a hot-heated match that produced more than five yellow cards and a poor showing in the second half from both side, from a series of needless foul and wasting time to poor finishing and understanding when launching an attack. It was a good match nonetheless, albeit from a low quality when it comes to passes and finishing.

A deserved 2-0 win over Indonesia meaning that Malaysia finished Group B as a runner-up and qualify through to the semi-final where they will meet against Group A winner Thailand, the only team in the tournament to qualify to the semi-final without losing a single match. It is said that Malaysia will meet a tougher opposition than ever before, and somewhat need miracles to defeat the side that have previously beat Malaysia 2-0 in a friendly match weeks before the tournament started. But Malaysia will do all they can to keep their hopes of defending the title and gaining the victory in the process.

Man of the Match: Wan Zack Haikal