MALAYSIA EDGE HOSTS INDONESIA

Following a scoreless first half, Malaysia turned on the charm to score twice off Ahmad Fauzan Yahya in the 67th minute and Mohamed Amer Saidin two minutes to the end for the three points.

“We were very careful with Indonesia considering that they played well in their last match (against Bahrain),” said Lim Kim Chon, the head coach for Malaysia.

“We did not play well in the first half but after making some changes after the break, it improved the midfield which resulted in the goals.”

Given the importance of the tie, it would seem that there was no sense of urgency from Indonesia and Malaysia with both teams making far too many mistakes with the stray passes and build-ups ending prematurely.

The several breaks from Tommy Veriyanto did trouble the Malaysian defense somewhat but it was not enough to result in a goal – much to the chagrin of the several hundred fans that had come for the match.

In the opening first half, Indonesia had two real chances to go in front but was either denied by Malaysian custodian Zulfadhli Mohamad or missed the target altogether.

While regular Malaysian striker Gary Steven Robat a shade off colour with captain Saiful Ridzuwan Selamat had a weak shot in the 39th minute to show for while several minutes later, D. Saarvindran had his attempt from a tight angle being saved by Egha Putra Mahardika in between the posts.

The change for Aminuddin Samki in the second half, brought pace to the Malaysian game and with Indonesia losing concentration, Malaysia finally went in front in the 67th minute when Fauzan overlapped from the back to blast in a shot which ricocheted off Agung Nur Achmad for the goal.

Malaysia applied the pressure off Gary and then Saarvindran as Indonesia replied with a cross from substitute Yossy Irawan but Fanky Pasamba failed to connect.

That failure saw Malaysia taking advantage when Mohamaed Amer blasted in a free kick from some 25metres out which caught Egha off guard.

“We controlled the first half but again, the stamina of the players was waning and that resulted in the loss of concentration and shape,” said Mundati Karya, the head coach for Indonesia.

“And we made mistakes which resulted in the goals.”

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
1900 WIB: Singapore vs Australia

17/07/08
1600 WIB: Indonesia vs Singapore
1900 WIB: Malaysia vs Bahrain

19/07/08
1600 WIB: Third vs Fourth
1900 WIB: First vs Second (Grand Final)

CURRENT STANDINGS

1. AUSTRALIA 9pts (+12)

2. MALAYSIA 6pts (+3)

3. BAHRAIN 6pts (+2)

4. SINGAPORE 0pt (-3)

5. INDONESIA 0pt (-10)