INDONESIA MAKE FINAL; LIFELINE FOR MALAYSIA

The score in the first half was 1-0 to the advantage of Vietnam.

“Vietnam played very well but we relied on the quick counter-attacks to get back at them and that paid off in the second half. It is a nice feeling to be in the final,” said Robby Hartono, the head coach for Indonesia.

Buoyed by several thousand fans, Vietnam started strongly with the lanky Ngo Duy Khanh making several attempts at the Indonesian goal at the start of the tie.

Indonesia were not without their chances too with Angga Saputra and Socrates Matulessy breaking through the Vietnam defence only to come up against the experienced Dang Phuoc Anh at goal.

But while Indonesia were busy pushing forward, Vietnam finally carved their first goal of the game in the 18th minute when Huyhn Ba Tuan blasted in the goal off a short pass from Truong Quoc Tuan.

Indonesia had a great chance for the equaliser just several seconds later but they just could not make full use of a three-against-one situation when Phuoc Anh recovered the attempt from Sayan Karmadi.

The second half would prove pivotal as Indonesia minimised their mistakes at the back to push Vietnam much into their own half.

And after some continued pressure afterwards, they finally found the goal they were looking for and the much sought after equaliser when Phuoc Anh swept the ball into his own net in his attempt to clear a goal mouth melee.

Four minutes later, Indonesia went in front for the first time in the game when Sayan was in the thick of a quick counter attack manoeuvre to score from close range after a square from Indra Kurnia.

“We were just a little inexperienced. We were already in front and we should have played a smarter game. Now, there is no choice but to beat Malaysia next,“ said Vietnam head coach Sergio Gargelli.

In the meantime, Malaysia gave themselves a lifeline for a place in the final this year when they beat Myanmar 2-0 in an earlier match.

“It is a small lifeline for us but we are still not playing at a level which I know we are capable of. Now we have to prepare for the crucial game against Vietnam tomorrow,” added Hamidin Mohd Amin, the Malaysian team manager.

Battered by the heavy defeat to Indonesia the previous day, the Malaysians were all eager against Myanmar in the opening first quarter.

But even with the wily Addie Azwan Zainal leading the attack, the Malaysians could not find their way through the Myanmar defence as the latter relied on quick counter-attacks in their search for the first goal.

For Myanmar, they must have realised that it was not going to be their afternoon when they struck the Malaysian posts three times in the first half alone.

But some sustained pressure from Aye Min Win forced Addie into making several untimely decisions and by the 17th minute of play, he was sent off after picking up his second yellow card – although this time round for entering the court improperly when making a substitution.

However, that was to be the turn for Malaysia as they duly scored the first goal of the game when Mohd Khairul Effendy Bahrin capitalised on some hesitant defending on the part of Myanmar to slot the ball home.

And just one minute into the second half, Malaysia went 2-0 up when Mohd Khairul finished a rebound to complete his brace.

“It was an even game considering that we hit the posts three times in the first half. But I thought that the referee made some decisions against us and that costs us the game,” quipped Myanmar team manager Yei Htut Tin.

RESULTS and FIXTURES

5 April 2010: MALAYSIA 5 PHILIPPINES 3/ VIETNAM 8 MYANMAR 1

6 April 2010: PHILIPPINES 0 VIETNAM 4/ INDONESIA 7 MYANMAR 4

7 April 2010: INDONESIA 6 MALAYSIA 0/ PHILIPPINES 5 MYANMAR 2

8 April 2010: MALAYSIA 2 MYANMAR 0/ VIETNAM 1 INDONESIA 2

9 April 2010: Philippines vs. Indonesia (1400)/ Vietnam vs. Malaysia (1600)

10 April 2010: REST DAY

11 April 2010: Winner vs. Runner-up (1600)