BREAKING NEWS: Ghaddar will not renewed his contract with Kelantan -Tan Sri Annuar Musa

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     Tan Sri Annuar Musa has confirmed that Lebanese international, Mohammad Ghaddar will not extend his contract with the treble-winner Kelantan for the 2013 season. Annuar announced in his Facebook page, writing that, " We have to forget Ghaddar who demanded a 100 per cent pay rise wages. We could not afford to pay it, besides his performance is inconsistent." Kelantan is the most successful football team this year, having won all football competition available in Malaysia, in which successfully retaining Malaysia Super League title for the second time, winning FA Cup, and Malaysia Cup for the second time in three years. Annuar again stated that Ghaddar will be replaced by a new import who he said is playing in under-23 for his national side and playing with one of the AFC Champions League team. He will be tested by Kelantan for six month. The player, including another import, new signing Zairo Anuar Zailani and Faiz Subri and another local signing will be presented to the media tomorrow 4pm at Cafe TRW. It is not revealed whether Ghaddar has sign with a new club, but rumours strongly suggests that numerous Middle East clubs are keen to get his services as well as Super League outfit, Negri Sembilan. The 28 year-old striker is part of Kelantan winning-treble in 2012, scored 9 goals in Malaysia Super League to win the title for the second consecutive times, scored a decisive penalty-goal that resulted Kelantan clinched the FA Cup for the first time, and contributed his final goal and appearance for Kelantan in scoring a cheeky-selfish goal during 2-0 semi-final Malaysia Cup win over Selangor to qualify to the final as he was suspended for receiving more than two yellow cards but nonetheless Kelantan snatched the Malaysia Cup title by beating big-spenders ATM 3-2 in extra time. He was comically dubbed as the Malaysian Neymar for his outrageous skills during FA Cup win over Sime Darby and infamously involved in countless incidents and controversies during the course of the season. However, he has undoubtedly made an instant impact to the Malaysian football and his contribution for Kelantan will always be remembered.    

Singapore came out on top over Laos in the 4-3 comeback thriller

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In the similar time when Malaysia gain valuable win against rival Indonesia, Singapore face tournament's minnows, Laos at Shah Alam Stadium and only need a point to secure a spot to semi-final. However, Laos did not make things easier to the three-time champions. A lapse of defending from Singapore gave Khampheng Sayavutthi a chance to score with a weak shot from a close range in the 21st minute to make it a shock 1-0 lead to Laos. Keoviengphet Liththideth made it harder for Singapore when he unleashed a beautiful curling shot past Izwan Mahbud to the top right corner of the net in the 40th minute to make it a comfortable 2-0 lead for the Thim Xad. Singapore however did manage to pull one back through captain Shahril Ishak with a simple shot from close range in 47th minute just before half-time.

Singapore did not waste any time when the second half started as they pushed forward in search for equaliser. Singapore finally found an equaliser through Shahril Ishak once again in 53rd minute when he dribbled easily in the penalty box and fired to the bottom left corner of the net to make it 2-2. Laos looking struggle to contain Singapore's attack as there are number of times their defence looking as vulnerable as ever. The Lions meanwhile are more confident in performance as they create a lot of chances and are close to score more goals. Ten minutes later, Khairul Amri put Singapore in front in the 63th minute when he took an unstoppable free-kick which easily past Laos goalkeeper to make it 3-2. Fazrul Nawaz rounded off Singapore's comeback when he fired the ball past Laos goalkeeper with a diving header in 65th minute to make it 4-2 lead. It was two goals in two minutes from Singapore. Khampheng Sayavutthi put a seemingly dead Laos in a glimmer of hope when they were awarded a penalty in 81st minute and slotted the ball easily past Izwan Mahbud to make it 4-3 but it was all too late for the Thim Xad as Singapore are victorious nonetheless coming to the final whistle as the Lions deserved to claim one of the greatest comeback win in the football history.

Singapore finished the Group B with six points and top of the group after three matches, with two wins against Malaysia and Laos and one lose against Indonesia. As a group winner, Singapore will travel to Manila for the first leg of semi-final, where they will meet tournament's surprise package, Philippines, who finished as a runners-up of Group A in December 8 and a return leg in December 12 at Jalan Besar Stadium.
Singapore have an excellent chance to go to the final for the fourth time in the history of competition if they beat Philippines in the semi-final. Singapore is one of the most successful side in the history of AFF Suzuki Cup competition, having previously won the title three times in 1998, 2005 and 2007 edition.

Man of the Match: Shahril Ishak

Malaysia secured 2-0 win over Indonesia

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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    

Philippines send Myanmar home to book a spot in semi-final AFF Suzuki Cup 2012

Thailand ease past Vietnam despite down to ten man