JDT denied Champions League football by Muang Thong United

Photo: Official Muang Thong United website mtutd.tv

Johor Darul Takzim FC (JDT) eliminated by Muang Thong United 3-0 on penalty shoot-out after battling for 120 minutes in the second round of AFC Champions League play-off at SCG Stadium, Nonthaburi, Thailand yesterday.

Both sides struggled to create chances early in the first half as they unable to break through the defence.

However, as the game progressed in the 30th minute, Muang Thong managed to find the space through the JDT defence, especially through the flank, but left undone by a weak finishing.

JDT have considerable amount of chances as well, especially a piledriver from Mahalli Jasuli, but his shot missed only inches away.

The game changed completely in the second half as both team have a wide number of chances to score, Muangthong through Negrao, Cleiton and Sarach Yooyen, while JDT have chances through Diaz and Safiq Rahim but all of them have blown their chances away, forcing the game to go through extra time. The only bright thing is Farizal Marlias, who has been busy, saving numerous shot from Muangthong players, becoming a real saviour for his team.

As the extra time went on, the game begin to slow down, with majority of the players low on stamina, cramped and exhausted.

Despite fighting through the end, trying to get the golden goal, they have to settle it with a penalty shoot-out.

JDT's confidence continue to rise, as they did not expect to hang on to Muangthong until the end of extra time and they still have a chance to qualify for the third round. The dream has yet to over.

But it's all starting to go wrong when Diaz, one of the most revered player by JDT fans, kicked the ball to the left but was saved by Kawin.

As Muangthong scored the first goal, Marcos Antonio focused on equalising the goal for his team. But his shot was saved, again by Kawin.

The pressure is high among JDT players as Muangthong scored again to make it 2-0. It's all up to Hariss Harun to change the tides.

His shot, was well saved, again by the mighty Kawin. Three times in a row. Muangthong United have no problem scoring the third, and with that, JDT were eliminated.

While it's all over for JDT in AFC CL this year, they will return in AFC Cup, but this time as a defending champions and their quest this time is to defend the trophy.

Singapore won the AFF Suzuki Cup 2012

The Lions were fortunate to beat Thailand 3-2 on aggregate after losing to a narrow 1-0 lost in the second leg of AFF Suzuki Cup 2012 final

Singapore on the verge of winning the fourth title of AFF Suzuki Cup after convincing 3-1 win in the final first leg. Thailand will need to score two goals without conceding to overturn the deficit and win the title.

Thailand begin to attack as soon as referee blows the whistle to start the match as they try to force an early lead. Singapore meanwhile are trying to hold their two-goal advantage as they prevent any attacking moves and clear cut chances from the home side. Thailand creates numerous chances but unable to turn it into goals as Singapore keep it tight at defence. But as the first half end were looming, a cross from the corner somehow met the head of striker Kirati Keawsombut to score a powerful header inside the penalty area in the 45th minute. It was a much-needed goal for the War Elephants as they look to build their lead further.

While Thailand may continue the way they played from the first half, Avramovic may need to aware and warn his side to keep focus and avoid from making too many mistakes, as they might be punished by the home side once and for all.

Thailand were largely dominant in the second half as they trying to pushed for a goal that they have been waiting for since the beginning of the match. Chance by chance were not taken by the home side as their profligacy in front of goal prevent them from scoring more and were left frustrated by the away side. A sturdy defence and rearguard display saw Singapore managed to hold a thin one-goal advantage until the final whistle to clinch what would be a record-breaking of a fourth title in the AFF Suzuki Cup tournament, a new record for the Lions.

Singapore will go down in history as the most successful side in the South East Asian region, having won the AFF Suzuki Cup titles for four times in 1998, 2004, 2007 and 2012, the most title won in the history of competition. The newly-crowned champions were also marked a glorious departure from their most successful coach, Radojko Avramovic; who runs out his contract with the Lions at the end of the year and experienced striker Aleksandar Duric; who will retire from international scene at the end of the tournament today.

Teerasil Dangda receives the Golden Boot Award after scoring five goals in the tournament.

Co-host Malaysia receives a Fair Play Award after a series of good showing in fair play in the tournament.

Shahril Ishak receives the Most Valuable Player after strings of delightful performances during the tournament.

Man of the Match: Izwan Mahbud

Singapore on one hand to the fourth title

 Singapore 3-1 Thailand

Singapore bagged two-goal advantage for the second leg in Saturday as Thailand are brushed aside 

It is a nice and pleasant weather to play football as the two South-East Asian giants contested at Jalan Besar Stadium for the first leg of the AFF Suzuki Cup 2012 Final, yesterday. The two successful sides in the competition have met once in the final of 2007 edition which ended victorious to the Lions.

Singapore didn't have to wait too long as they took an early lead in the 9th minute after Aleksandar Duric was fouled by Piyaphon Buntao in the penalty area. Mustafic Fahrudin have to retake after his first spot-kick was ruled out by the match officials but have no troubled scoring for the second time to give the home side a 1-0 lead. The two sides counter-attacking relentlessly as Thailand are in search of equaliser while Singapore trying to double their lead further but both left frustrated after held by a cautious play as the first half ended.

Thailand started strong in the second half as they pushed for the equaliser. They finally levelled in the 59th minute through a lapse of defending from the Lions as a cross from Teerasil Dangda met Adul Lahsoh's feet to fired the ball past Izwan Mahbud to make it 1-1. But Singapore spoiled Thailand's celebration as they went ahead again just two minutes later through excellent individual skills from Khairul Amri as he smashed the ball past Kawin in the 61st minute to make it 2-1. Thailand have to work hard to find for another equaliser as they look helpless to contain Singapore's domination in midfield. But Thailand was caught on the break as a poor defending from the away side which the ball landed in front of the Singapore defender Baihakki Khaizan as he put the ball easily to the roof of the net to rounded off the victory for the home side.

Singapore will meet Thailand in 22nd December 2012 at Supachalasai Stadium for the second leg of the AFF Suzuki Cup 2012 Final to determined the tournament eventual winner and the new champion for the South East Asian region.  

Man of the Match: Khairul Amri 

Thailand knock 10-men Malaysia out of AFF Suzuki Cup 2012

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.

Man of the Match : Teerasil Dangda

Teerasil Dangda denied Malaysia a win

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.

Man of the Match: Mahalli Jasuli

Wan Zack and Shakir will miss the clash against Thailand

Doubtful in a clash against Thailand

Wan Zack Haikal

Safee Sali

S. Kunanlan

Shakir Shaari

Malaysia head coach, K. Rajagobal has confirmed that both Wan Zack Haikal and Shakir Shaari are ruled out of contention to play in first leg semi-final against Thailand. He said Wan Zack has suffered a thigh muscle tear and may not available until the end of the tournament. Kelantan midfielder Shakir Shaari will miss the game due to ankle injury but will most likely to join the team back for the second leg in Bangkok. There are doubts to other key players too, with S. Kunanlan, Kyril Muhymeen and Safee Sali carrying a knock sustained before and during 2-0 victory over arch-rival Indonesia. Only Kunanlan has shake off his injury and will be available for selection against Thailand. Rajagobal said he is not too concern with injury blow and hopes that the other squad player should step up their performance and take advantage with the current situation when selected to be in the first eleven.

Wan Zack Haikal and Shakir Shaari have been performing above expectation, playing extremely well in two previous matches in a row but will be sidelined for tomorrow clash against Thailand. Wan Zack Haikal is one of the Malaysia's brightest young talent ever produced, playing debut season with Felda United in 2007 before spending his whole career with Harimau Muda A, winning his first major honour with them, the 2009 Malaysia Premier League title. He is part of Harimau Muda A who trained at Slovakia in 2010 and have a short term loan deal with Slovakian club, FC Vion but failed to make a single appearance due to injury. He return to Malaysia with Harimau Muda A in 2012, following the exchange deal with Lion XII who will play in Malaysia Super League, while Harimau Muda A will featuring in S-League. During this time, Wan Zack, along with his teammate Wan Zaharulnizam were attending a trial with Japanese club, FC Ryukyu for two weeks. He is one of the young Malaysian talent who is expected to shine in few years time but could not do so as he have missed a lot of important matches and tournaments due to his awful injury record. If he is in injury-free, he will certainly playing at his best, as what he did currently in AFF Suzuki Cup 2012 tournament that earned Malaysia a deserved place in the semi-final, for the quest of retaining the title for the second time.

Thailand ease past Vietnam despite down to ten man

Thailand 4-0 Myanmar Group A Match 2 AFF Suzuki Cup

Group A AFF Suzuki Cup 2012 Roundup

Photo Courtesy from mynewshub.my

It's all wet evening at Rajamangala Stadium, Bangkok,yesterday, with spectators witness a fair share of careful football, both matches having scored 5 goals altogether and conceding one goal each of the team. Perhaps the best part of football in Bangkok, is to witness Anucha's fantastic goal in a deserved 2-1 Thailand victory over Philippines.

Thailand 2-1 Philippines - Group A AFF Suzuki Cup 2012

AFF Suzuki Cup 2012 Preview

Photo Courtesy tickethotline.com.my