HERO TURNED VILLAIN SYAHMI SURVIVES ROLLER COASTER TEST
Hero and villain Syahmi will never forget emotional night
BANGKOK: Malaysia’s young rightback Syahmi Safari will never forget the roller coaster of emotions he went through in the second leg of the AFF Suzuki Cup semi-finals againt Thailand.
The 20-year-old scored his first goal at the senior level (28th minute) to cancel out Irfan Zakaria’s own goal (21st) that gave Thailand the lead at the Rajamangala Stadium on Wednesday.
But Syahmi went from hero to zero after he gave away a penalty when the ball hit his hand in the box and he was sent off in the 94th minute following a second booking.
Fortunately, Thailand striker Adisak Kraison skied the spot-kick and Malaysia reached the final on away goals after the 2-2 draw. The first leg at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil ended 0-0.
Rising star Syahmi said he was bereft of words after the drama that unfolded in the second leg thriller.
“I almost cost the team the match
and I was so sad, but in the end it was Malaysia’s “rezeki (blessing) to make it to the final,” said Syahmi, who will miss the first leg of the final on Dec 11.
“I didn’t expect the ball to hit my hand and it was not my intention to stop the ball with my hand ... but I have to accept my fate.”
Syahmi, one of the Harimau Malaya’s standout performers in the Suzuki Cup campaign, said he was thrilled to break his duck in the tournament.
He added that the team are
still capable of winning the first leg of the final despite his suspension.
“I didn’t expect to score my first goal in this match. I just wanted to make a positive impact,” he said.
“I’ll have to sit out the next game but I believe we have enough quality and anyone picked to play will give their best.”