MALAYSIA IN FINAL
27th August 2007 – Malaysia exacted just revenge when they beat Singapore 3-1 in the semi-finals of the Merdeka Tournament tonight at the Stadium Shah Alam.
Striker Mohd Safee Sali, who was suspended in the team’s last match against Lesotho two days earlier, was in commanding form with two goals in the 17th and 76th minute with Mohd Khyril Muhymeen scoring the other goal in the 12th minute.
“It was a very tough game," said Malaysian head coach B. Sathianathan.
“They played using the flanks where the rain made the pitch very slippery. They were very dangerous in the set-pieces. But the two goals made the boys go for more.”
Khyril, who missed the penalty at the last Asean Football Championship semi-finals, gave Malaysia a dream start a well-taken free kick which took a wicked curve before swerving into the left of the Singapore goal.
Safee then gave Malaysia a 2-0 lead at the break when he took advantage of an out of position Singapore keeper Hassan Abdullah Sunny to slot Malaysia’s second goal before Agu Casmir gave Singapore a fighting change with a goal two minutes after the restart.
However, there was no denying Malaysia the win on the night when Safee beat Hassan in a one to one situation to put the game beyond contention.
ÏN THE MEANTIME in an earlier semi-final match, defending champion Myanmar beat Zimbabwe 3-1 to confirm their place in the final of the championship for the second time in two years.
Myanmar scorers were Yan Paing (32th and 58th minute) and Yazar Win Thein (88th minute) while the only goal from Zimbabwe came off Mutshumaveli Moyo in the 51st minute.
“The boys are mentally strong against very tough opponents,” added Myanmar head coach Marcos Falopa.
“It is not easy to play against African teams but they managed to play their normal game and control the match well.”
MALAYSIASyed Adney bin Syed Hussin, Norhafiz Zamani Misbah, Mohd Aidil Zafuan Abd Razak, Mohd Zaquan Adha Abdul Razak, Norfarhan Mohamed, Mohd Shukor Adan, Mohd Khyril Muhymeen Zambri, Mohd Daudsu Jamaluddin Safee Sali, Sumardi Hajalan, Norsharul Idlan Talaha.
SINGAPORE
Hassan Abdullah Sunny, Ridhuan Muhammad, Ismail Yunos, Mohd Isa Abdul Halim, Muhd Shariff Samat, Baihakki Khaizan, Fazrul Nawaz, Mohd Shahril Ishak, Mohd Khairul Amri, Agu Casmir, Juma’at Jantan.
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