VIETNAM ARE CHAMPIONS
Dragons edge Harimau Malaya to lift AFF Cup
MALAYSIA’S dream of winning the AFF Cup was dashed in Hanoi yesterday. Following the 2-2 draw in the final first leg in Bukit Jalil on Tuesday, Vietnam notched a 1-0 win at the My Dinh Stadium to win 3-2 on aggregate and claim the title for only the second time.
Yet again, Malaysia dominated with 58 per cent possession but failed to take advantage of it.
It was an aggressive first half with both Vietnam and Malaysia receiving three yellow cards each.
The home side took the lead after six minutes through Nguyen Anh Duc for his fourth goal in the competition.
Anh Duc volleyed a Nguyen Quang Hai looping cross from the left past Malaysian goalkeeper Farizal Marlias. The visitors, however, should have done better as their defenders were guilty of ball watching.
Malaysia conjured up five attempts with one on target through right-back Syahmi Safari in the first half.
However, Vietnam goalkeeper Dang Van Lam was alert and tipped Syahmi’s attempt, from the edge of the penalty box, over his crossbar.
Gambia-born Mohamadou Sumareh also came close in the first half but his near-perfect back heel through a sea of Vietnam legs rolled just wide of the far post.
The home team, who relied on counter attacks, had four attempts with two on target before the breather.
Vietnam’s Van Lam, Nguyen Trong Hoang and Tran Dinh Trong were yellow carded by Iranian referee Ali Reza Faghani while Aidil Zafuan Radzak, Shahrul Saad and Syamer Kutty Abba were also cautioned for fouls in the opening 45 minutes.
Seven minutes into the second half, winger Sumareh again tested the Vietnam defence and was unlucky not to score. His header was parried away by Vietnam keeper Van Lam.
The Golden Dragons then resorted to defending their goal in the remaining minutes, only allowing Malaysia to try from outside their penalty box. The home side were also guilty of time-wasting which frustrated the Malaysian players.
National coach Tan Cheng Hoe took his chances by introducing Syafiq Ahmad, Akhyar Rashid and Shahrel Fikri Fauzi but they could find the breaks against Vietnam’s defence.
Centre-back Shahrul received his marching orders in the fourth minute of stoppage time for a foul.
In total, Vietnam had 10 attempts with four on target compared to Malaysia’s 13 and five.
Despite the defeat, Malaysia can stand tall as critics did not expect Cheng Hoe’s side to go far in the tournament.
“We lost because of individual mistakes today that saw Vietnam scoring a goal. However, overall I am happy. It has been an amazing journey for the team.
“The players did their best but it wasn’t enough to bring home the AFF Cup title,” said Cheng Hoe after the final whistle.