A golden assist from Piya to find Nor Farhan Mohd who slotted the ball beautifully into the back of the net to make it 1-0 and it was enough for The Red Warriors to capture the FA Cup title for the second consecutive times after a long hard-fought battle against mega-rich side, Johor DT. Kelantan met two of their former players, Norshahrul Idlan Talaha and Nurul Azwan Roya who previously won the FA Cup title together last season. But the one of the most talked about during the game was three quick changes from the Southern Tiger when the match were just inside 45 minutes.
Man of the Match: Piya
What's more, Johor DT striker Norshahrul Idlan Talaha, who best known as Matyo, allegedly thrown his runner-up medal into the dustbin, locked himself in the dressing room and refused any interviews from the media.
Johor DT players were promised earlier by Tengku Mahkota Johor before the FA Cup final clash that they will have Audi Q7 each if they win the cup both as bonus and motivation for the team. It results in failure though.
Selangor proved money can't buy success as they easily overcome The Southern Tiger despite playing with 10 men to secure one of the biggest result this season
The Red Giants proved too strong for the visitors as they crushed title rivals Johor DT 4-1 in an exciting encounter at Shah Alam Stadium. Selangor lining up Peter Chrappan in the starting eleven as a replacement for the banned Ramez Dayoub, released by The Red Giants last week while Adib Abdul Latif get the nod ahead of captain Asrarudin Putra. Johor DT lining up almost an unchanged line-up with Muslim Ahmad sitting on the bench this time and captain Safiq Rahim back in the starting eleven after injury absence. Selangor have an early lead through S. Kunanlan with a fluke goal in the 4th minute. The home side doubled their lead this time through Francis Forkey Doe who scored in a close range finish with Johor DT goalkeeper Zamir Selamat failed to hold the ball that went straight into the net. With Johor DT falling behind again with two goals, they should have think to tighten the defence more or change the tactical approach during half-time interval but Fandi Ahmad thought otherwise when he decided to change current keeper Zamir Selamat with sub keeper Al-Hafiz Hamzah, believed that both conceded goals was at Zamir's fault. It is as if similar script in the first half continued in the second half as Johor DT did not do enough to creates chances and threaten their opposition while the home side looked as lively as ever. It was not until ten minutes after the restart that new Selangor centre-back Peter Chrappan collected a second yellow card as he fouled Johor DT striker Norshahrul Idlan Talaha at the edge of the penalty box. It should be a huge advantage for the away side when Selangor have one man down, but things just didn't went their way. Instead, Selangor keep marching on, and they did so in 66th minute when the unlikeliest goalscorer Mahalli Jasuli dribbled past Johor DT's defence before releasing the shot to the back of the net. It was superb effort and Mahalli would be delighted with his playing display. The home side were not yet satisfied as they got another goal in the 69th minute courtesy from a delightful pass from Forkey Doe who finds an unmarked Amri Yahyah who slotted the ball easily to the bottom right corner of the net to make it 4-0. Norshahrul Idlan Talaha gave Johor DT the only consolation goal in the 75th minute by dribbling past Selangor defender before unleashing the ball past Norazlan Razali. Following the win over Johor DT, Selangor were up to second place, tied on 18 points with league leaders ATM only separated by goal difference. Despite a heavy defeat, Johor DT still very much close with league leaders ATM, with only two points separated them but The Southern Tiger will have to content with fourth place, behind Lions XII, Selangor and ATM.
Malaysia fans in good spirit in Sunday evening despite heavy downpour hours before the match at Bukit Jalil National Stadium. Malaysia will eyeing for a win to make it a comfortable lead for the second leg in Bangkok.
Malaysia made five changes in starting line-up from a side that beat Indonesia last week due to injury.
The match started intensely in the first half, with both side keen to take an early lead but could not capitalise any of their chances including a glaring miss from Azamuddin Akil.
Malaysia finally took a lead in 48th minute through a diving header from Norshahrul Idlan Talaha met a crossing from young fullback Mahalli Jasuli.
With Thailand staring to their first defeat of the tournament, they somehow fine an edge to equalise in 78th minute through a fine header from Teerasil Dangda to level the scoreline.
There is controversial circumstances, when Thailand's head coach Winfried Schafer was banned from the touchline by the officials after over-protesting constantly during the match.
The home side have numerous clear cut chances but failed to turn it into goals, while Thailand were lucky to get a draw from some sloppy defending but good enough for their final encounter in second leg of semi-final. Its a tough ask for Malaysia, having failed to retain their lead despite substitution and changing tactics. They need a catalyst and perhaps miracle to beat Thailand in their own home soil to make it to the final. Player performance and selection should be taken as a serious consideration given that Thailand will not giving any favours to the Malayan Tiger to defend the title. Thailand will take on Malaysia for the second leg of semi-final AFF Suzuki Cup 2012 on Thursday, 13 December 2012 at Supachalasai Stadium, Bangkok. Both side will do anything to ensure the victory for the path to the final.
