KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 24, 2010) – While those celebrating Christmas were
looking forward to the man in red handing out presents, eight players
from Malaysia and Indonesia will be trying to avoid receiving “gifts”
from the man in green on Sunday night. For if they do see yellow on
Sunday, they will miss the second leg final in Jakata next week.
Five players from Indonesia including their star striker
Uruguayan-born Christian Gonzalez are among those who have a booking
each. Gonzalez, whose two goals destroyed the Philippines hopes of
making a dream final appearance, picked up a yellow card in the first
leg semifinal match. Speedy flanker Oktavianus Maniani, one of the
most exciting players in the tournament, was also booked in the first
leg.
In the second leg, Ahmad Bustomi, Muhammad Ridwan and Hamka Hamzah
were handed out yellow cards. It was deep in injury time but instead
of keeping their cool, Bustomi and Ridwan argued with the referee and
were booked in the 93rd and 94th minutes.
Two-goal semifinal hero Mohd Safee Sali and Mahalli Jasuli made it to
the yellow list in the first leg while the lanky Mohd Amirulhadi
Zainal was the sole booking from Malaysia in the second leg.
The eight will have to be well behaved when they take to the field on
Sunday night for one more booking will result in a premature exit from
the tournament.
The tournament rules allowed for single yellow cards picked up during
the group stage to be wiped out in the semifinals and final.
THE YELLOW CARD LIST
Malaysia: Mohd Safee Sali, Mahalli Jasuli, Mohd Amirulhadi Zainal
Indonesia: Christian Gonzalez, Oktavianus Maniani, Ahmad Bustomi,
Muhammad Ridwan (93,94), Hamka Hamzah (68)
AFF SUZUKI CUP 2010, FINALS FIXTURES
First-leg – Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (BUKIT JALIL NATIONAL STADIUM, KUALA LUMPUR)
26 Dec Malaysia vs Indonesia (2000hrs)
Second-leg – Jakarta, Indonesia (GELORA BUNG KARNO STADIUM, JAKARTA)
29 Dec Indonesia vs Malaysia (2000hrs)
