KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 20 — In the pulsating final, Malaysia, backed up by more 90,000 fans including hardcore supporters Ultras Malaya, went on the attack as soon as Iranian referee Faghani Alireza Mohammad blew the starting whistle.
The effort paid immediate dividends as Faghani awarded a penalty to Malaysia in the 6th minute when striker Norshahrul Idlan Talaha was brought down in the box.
Midfield maestro Safiq Rahim coolly slotted the ball past Thai keeper, Kawin Thamsatchanan, which sent the home crowd in a frenzy of delight more so with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin among the biggest fans present.
The “War Elephants” however stepped up the game after that and managed to even up play by mounting continuous attacks through their combination of winger Thawikan Kroekrit and midfielder Chanathip Songkrasin but the Malaysian defence headed by Muhammad Shukor Adan soaked up the pressure.
The stadium reverberated again when Indra Putra Mahayuddin headed in Malaysia’s second goal from a cross supplied by Norshahrul in injury time in the first half to put Malaysia in a much more comfortable position for the second half. — Bernama
