HARIMAU MALAYA SET TO SLAY GOLDEN DRAGONS

MALAYSIA hope to repeat the magic of 2014 in Hanoi to upset Vietnam and win the AFF Cup.

Four years ago, Harimau Malaya defeated the Golden Dragons 4-2 at the My Dinh Stadium to overturn the 2-1 defeat at the Shah Alam Stadium to reach the final.

Safiq Rahim, Norshahrul Idlan Talaha, Indra Putra Mahayudin and Shukor Adan were the scorers on that fateful night.

Goalkeeper Farizal Marlias, who played in that match, wants his teammates to evoke the spirit of 2014 going into the crunch second leg of the final today.

“We will give our best, so there will be no excuses. The (cold) weather and the (Vietnam) supporters are good, so nothing is impossible,” said Farizal in yesterday’s pre-match conference in Hanoi.

“We have done it in 2014 and I believe we can do it again. Although the tie doesn’t favour us but the spirit is good.

“We showed our class when we came back from two goals down to hold Vietnam to a draw in the first leg.

“Whoever works hard and give more than 100 per cent will win.

“Our job is to be focused on the match and do our best in both defending and attacking.”

Farizal and second-choice keeper Khairul Fahmi Che Mat along with Norshahrul Idlan Talaha are the remaining members of the 2014 team who are currently in Tan Cheng Hoe’s side.

The Johor Darul Ta’zim custodian did not play in the 2-0 defeat to Vietnam in the group stage in Hanoi, but was in the team in the 2-2 draw in Tuesday’s final first leg.

Farizal expects a busy night but is ready to deny Vietnam, who have netted 14 goals so far in the tournament.