BAHRAIN TO PLAY AUSTRALIA IN GRAND FINAL

In the final crucial group game, Malaysia scored first in the 15th minute off a free kick from Ahmad Fauzan Yahya before Bahrain replied through Salman Ahmed Aldakheel in the 90th minute.

It was Malaysia, who dictated the early pace as strikers D. Saarvindran and Gary Robbat combined well to test Bahraini keeper Naser Yahya Mahboob early in the third minute.

Bahrain was content to absorb the early pressure and in the 14th minute, Saarvindran unleashed a scorcher from some 20metres out which came off the crossbar.

Coming so close, Malaysian became even more brazen and just a minute later, they chalked up their first goal of the game when a free kick from Ahmad Fauzan Yahya sailed over the Bahraini defensive well and into goal.

Shaken, Bahrain were soon pushing forward in a effort to get back into the game but their frustration were compounded in the 20th minute when Hasan Ahmed Ishaq was red carded by Singapore referee P. Pandian for stepping on Saarvindran.

Bahrain ended the first half with a well taken freekick from Ali Habib Haji but Sayed Dhiya Saeed’s header went straight into the arms of Malaysian keeper Zulfadhli Mohamad.

Malaysia created several chances at the start of the second half with Gary hitting the side netting in the 50th minute while Saarvindran’s attempt six minutes later came off Naser.

But Bahrain gained a reprieve in the 72nd minute when they were awarded a penalty but Salman totally muffed his attempt from the spot.

Just as things seem to be heading in the way of Malaysia, an innocuous free kick from Mohamed Adel Alyasi deep in injury time saw Salman jumping high to head in the equaliser.

With the one point, Bahrain emerged as the runners-up team based on goal advantage as Malaysia settled for third.

TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE and RESULTS

09/07/08
AUSTRALIA 2 BAHRAIN 1
SINGAPORE 0 MALAYSIA 2

11/07/08
BAHRAIN 1 SINGAPORE 0
INDONESIA 0 AUSTRALIA 6

13/07/08
AUSTRALIA 4 MALAYSIA 1
BAHRAIN 2 INDONESIA 0

15/07/08
MALAYSIA 2 INDONESIA 0
SINGAPORE 1 AUSTRALIA 1

17/07/08
INDONESIA 1 SINGAPORE 1
MALAYSIA 1 BAHRAIN 1

19/07/08
1600 WIB: Malaysia vs Singapore
1900 WIB: Australia vs Bahrain (Grand Final)

CURRENT STANDINGS (After the Fourth Matchday)

1. AUSTRALIA 10pts (+12)

2. BAHRAIN 7pts (+2)

3. MALAYSIA 7pts (+1)

4. SINGAPORE 2pt (-3)

5. INDONESIA 1pt (-10)