M’sia to face Vietnam in final
BANGKOK: Malaysia moved into the final of the 2018 AFF Suzuki Cup on Wednesday in dramatic fashion and set to face 2008 champions Vietnam in the two-legged showdown.
Tan Cheng Hoe's squad qualified for the final on away goals rule after drawing the second leg of the semifinal 2-2 against defending champions Thailand, following their scoreless first leg at home .
There’s one more hurdle to cross, so stay focused and give it your best.
Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin, FAM president
Vietnam joined Malaysia in the final after a 2-1 second leg victory over the Philippines in Hanoi last night gave them a 4-2 aggregate win in their semifinal.
Football Association of Malaysia president (FAM) Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin meanwhile reminded Malaysia to stay focused on the task.
“There's one more hurdle to cross, so stay focused and give it your best,” Hamidin said on the official FAM Facebook page.
Hamidin said players now should set their sights in bringing the Suzuki Cup to Malaysia for the second time, after winning it in 2010.
He also thanked the die- hard fans for their support at the Rajamangala Stadium .
Cheng Ho meanwhile attributed his team's character as key to their victory, adding that players have put on a splendid performance in the match after coming back twice from behind.
“My men held firm in the face of a fierce Thai onslaught in the first half and then showed great tactical discipline to stay calm, control the game and go forward,” he said.
“The first 45 minutes was about absorbing everything the Thais threw at us. My men held firm in the face of a fierce Thai onslaught. In the second half, we stayed calm and composed, launching attack at the right moment.”
Cheng Hoe claimed he was not panic when Thailand were awarded a penalty in the dying minutes of the match, adding that he had faith in his goalkeeper Mohd Farizal Marlias.
“I was calm and confident that Farizal will perform well in the box,” he said the post-match press conference.
The penalty was given by Jordanian r e feree Adham Mohammad Tumah Makhadmeh when Muhammad Syahmi Safari handled the ball in the box in time added on in the second half.
Adisak, the tournament top scorer with eight goals so far, launched his shot above the bar, much to the delight of the 3,000odd Malaysian supporters.
The first leg of the final will take place in Kuala Lumpur on Dec 11 with the return match scheduled for Hanoi four days later.