Game Over. Dream Over. But in football, there is no such thing as over.
It was all but over for the cup holders Malaysia as they were crashed out of the AFF Suzuki Cup 2012 and failed to retain the 2010 edition title after suffering a 2-0 defeat at the hands of stubborn Thailand.
A sodden and slippery surface marked a poor pitch condition in such a bad weather today. Malaysia are hoping to beat Thailand away from home and progress to the final in bid of retaining the title for the second time. Thailand will be looking to take a full home advantage at Supachalasai Stadium after claiming precious 1-1 draw at Bukit Jalil National Stadium.
Both Thailand and Malaysia named an unchanged side that played out a 1-1 draw at Kuala Lumpur as Thailand head coach Winfried Schafer will served a one-match banned from touchline.
Thailand went as early as the first minute of the game attacking and dominating possession, trying to build an early lead. Malaysia meanwhile struggled to pose a real threat to the home side as their performance are shocking given that they played out an aggressive style coupled with nervous defending that earned a yellow card to both Mahalli Jasuli and Fadhli Shas inside the fifth minute of the game.
Such an aggressive style of play may look good as they hold on to weather the storm of Thailand. But it soon backfire the defending champion as Fadhli Shas was sent off just before half time for a second bookable offences coupled with a questionable decision from the match officials.
It was a cagey first half performance from both side as the home side might have wonder how they could not be in front after first 45 minute. Malaysia will faced an uphill task to reach the final.
Malaysia have not made any change despite down to ten men for the second half.
Thailand continue their style of play just like they did in the first half, while Malaysia trying to absorb the pressure from the home side. Thailand finally broke the deadlock in 61st minute through impressive Teerasil Dangda when Panupong Wongsa seized a mistakeen from Amar Rohidan to put the striker through on goal and slotted the ball easily past Farizal Marlias to make a 1-0 lead. Thailand doubled their lead and presumably rounded off their team's display in the 65th minute when Farizal Marlias parries the ball away weakly after a free kick from Jakkapan Pornsai allowing Theerathon Bunmathan to pounce on the rebound and slammed the ball home, making it a further 2-0 lead.
Malaysia did make a change in the second half, with Safee Sali, Kyril Muhymeen and Faizal Muhammad coming on to steer up the team to project the miracle and make it harder for the the home side but things just could not going in their way as they are run out of luck coming to the final whistle.
Thailand will have a chance to end their trophy drought for 10 years, having won the competition back in 2002 edition, when they beat Indonesia 4-2 in the penalty shoot-out after 2-2 draw in the normal time and claiming the third title while coming closed to the title back in 2008 edition when they lost 3-2 on aggregate against Vietnam. Thailand will set a new record in the first leg of AFF Suzuki Cup 2012 final on 19 December, by appearing in the final for the sixth times, more than any other team in the competition. They will face head to head against title rival Singapore, with both teams sharing a total of three titles each of them, the highest amount of title to win by a single team to date. Only one team will set a new record of winning the title for four times, more than any other team before.
A new champion will set to prevail. Will it be the Lions? Or the War Elephants? Only one team deserve to win.
It was a cagey first half performance from both side as the home side might have wonder how they could not be in front after first 45 minute. Malaysia will faced an uphill task to reach the final.
Malaysia have not made any change despite down to ten men for the second half.
Thailand continue their style of play just like they did in the first half, while Malaysia trying to absorb the pressure from the home side. Thailand finally broke the deadlock in 61st minute through impressive Teerasil Dangda when Panupong Wongsa seized a mistakeen from Amar Rohidan to put the striker through on goal and slotted the ball easily past Farizal Marlias to make a 1-0 lead. Thailand doubled their lead and presumably rounded off their team's display in the 65th minute when Farizal Marlias parries the ball away weakly after a free kick from Jakkapan Pornsai allowing Theerathon Bunmathan to pounce on the rebound and slammed the ball home, making it a further 2-0 lead.
Malaysia did make a change in the second half, with Safee Sali, Kyril Muhymeen and Faizal Muhammad coming on to steer up the team to project the miracle and make it harder for the the home side but things just could not going in their way as they are run out of luck coming to the final whistle.
Thailand will have a chance to end their trophy drought for 10 years, having won the competition back in 2002 edition, when they beat Indonesia 4-2 in the penalty shoot-out after 2-2 draw in the normal time and claiming the third title while coming closed to the title back in 2008 edition when they lost 3-2 on aggregate against Vietnam. Thailand will set a new record in the first leg of AFF Suzuki Cup 2012 final on 19 December, by appearing in the final for the sixth times, more than any other team in the competition. They will face head to head against title rival Singapore, with both teams sharing a total of three titles each of them, the highest amount of title to win by a single team to date. Only one team will set a new record of winning the title for four times, more than any other team before.
A new champion will set to prevail. Will it be the Lions? Or the War Elephants? Only one team deserve to win.
Man of the Match : Teerasil Dangda