KUALA LUMPUR (23 June 2011) – Malaysia are the only survivor from ASEAN in the 2012 Olympic Games qualifiers when they disposed of Lebanon 2-1 in the second-leg tie of the second round of the qualifiers tonight at the National Stadium, Bukit Jalil.
Following the scoreless draw in the first-leg match of the second round in Beirut on the weekend, the Malaysians were more determined playing in front of their home fans when they carved out the lead through Irfan Fazail ninth minute.
Lebanon stepped up the pressure but they just can’t seem to find a way through as the Malaysian defence stood firm.
But with four minutes remaining in the first half, Lebanon fell further behind when Wan Zack Haikal slammed Malaysia’s second goal.
The red card on Gary Steven Robbat just before the hour mark allowed Lebanon to be more brazen and they were quick to capitalise for Chadi Atie to score in the 64th minute.
Malaysia then banded together as they stayed the course for the final 2-1 score line to their advantage.
ASEAN’s other representative Vietnam did not make the cut for the third round of the 2012 Olympic Games qualifiers when they fell to a 4-1 loss to Saudi Arabia in the return tie at the My Dinh National Stadium in Hanoi.
Following the 2-0 loss from the first leg in Abha a few days ago, the win for the Saudis saw them progressing into the third round of the qualifiers on 6-1 aggregate.
The third round draw of the 2012 Olympid Games qualifiers will be held on 7 July 2011 at the AFC House.
