Malaysia to battle Thais in final
MALAYSIA reached the final of the AFF Futsal Championship for the first time in seven years when they overcame Vietnam 5-1 at Phu Tho Stadium in Ho Chi Minh City yesterday.
The achievement is huge considering that Malaysia do not have a national futsal league compared to World No 39 Vietnam who have made huge investment into the sport.
The last time World No 57 Malaysia made the final was in 2010, also in Ho Chi Minh City, where they lost 5-0 to Indonesia.
Malaysia will play Thailand, who thrashed Myanmar 82 in the other semi-final, for the title tomorrow. It will be a repeat final of the Kuala Lumpur Sea Games gold medal match where Thailand won 4-3.
Chiew Chun Yong’s side were patient as they absorbed Vietnam’s pressing game to score from counters.
Khairul Effendy Bahrin netted in the 10th minute from a free kick set-piece before adding a second off a solo effort two minutes later.
Awalluddin Mat Nawi (14th) and Akmarulnizam Idris (15th) added the other goals for a 4-0 lead at half-time against Vietnam, who reached in last 16 of last year’s World Cup in Colombia.
Malaysia added a fifth through Syed Aizad Daniel in the 35th minute before Ngo Ngoc Son scored a consolation for Vietnam a minute later.
Three players were sent off for rough play in the second half. They were Malaysia’s Abu Haniffa Hasan (27th) and Vietnam’s Tran Van Vu (32nd) and Vu Quac Hung (33rd). Ajitpal Singh