Skip to main content

Malaysia's Final Hopes Dashed After Losing 0-2 To Thailand

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 13 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's hopes of making it to the final of the AFF Suzuki Cup 2012 were dashed after they went down 0-2 to Thailand in the second leg of the semi-finals at the Supachalasai Stadium in Bangkok, Thursday night.

Malaysia lost 3-1 on aggregate after both teams played to a 1-1 draw at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium last Sunday.

Thailand also frustrated Malaysia's hopes of retaining the title which they lifted in Indonesia in 2010.

Buoyed by the home crowd, Thailand were in control for most parts of the game, but Malaysia managed to keep Thai sporadic attacks at bay in the first half.

Harimau Malaya's midfielder Mohamad Fadhli Mohd Shas was sent off in the 44th minute by referee Lee Min Hu from South Korea for quarrelling with Thai midfielder Datsakorn Thonglao.

National coach Datuk K. Rajagobal replaced left-winger S. Kunalan and brought in Mohd Khyrill Muhymeen Zambri in the 52nd minute to beef up the midfield but to no avail when Thailand capitalised on a lapse in Malaysia's defence to open scoring in the 60th minute through Teerasil Dangda.

Thai marauding defender Theerathon Butmathan made it 2-0 five minutes later which resulted from a free kick which failed to be parried off by goalkeeper Mohd Farizal Marlias, much to the delight of the partisan crowd.

Except for the 81st minute when Harimau Malaya came close to reducing the deficit through a header by Norshahrul Idlan Talaha, Malaysia crumbled under the might of the ferocious Thais.

-- BERNAMA

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Ex-coach's jail sentence cut to a year

PUTRAJAYA: The Court of Appeal yesterday sentenced former athletics coach C. Ramanathan to 12 months' jail for molesting two junior athletes 19 years ago. A three-man bench led by Datuk Mohd Hishamudin Mohd Yunus unanimously dismissed Ramanathan's appeal against conviction, but varied the jail sentence of four years to a year, which was to run concurrently. Following yesterday's ruling, Ramanathan, 75, a former teacher, walked out a free man as he had served 10 months in Kajang Prison. Convicts get one-third remission for good behaviour while in prison. However, he will lose his pension. Hishamudin, who sat with Datuk Abdul Wahab Patail and Datuk Linton Albert, said the court found no merit to overturn the conviction. "However, in reducing the sentence, we considered Ramanathan's age and the long years the appeal has taken." Deputy public prosecutor Awang Armadajaya Awang Mahmud submitted that then High Court judge Tan Sri Abdull Hamid E...

Govt Always Gives Emphasis To Sporting Culture, Says PM

KUALA TERENGGANU, May 29 (Bernama) -- Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badaw i said the government always gives emphasis on cultivating a strong sporting culture in achieving excellence at the international level. As such, the Prime Minister said, it was important to scout for young talents in sports. "I observe that the Malaysia Games (Sukma) has become one of the important platforms to do so. "In this arena, the potentials and skills of the youngsters can be identified for development so that they can achieve greater success in sports," he said in his message in the souvenir book of the 12th Sukma from May 31 until June 9. Abdullah said he was aware that competition in sports was very keen and challenging but this did not mean that Malaysian athletes were incapable of competing at the international level. "The fact is that we have all the characteristics required to be excellent. We must inculcate a strong fighting spirit so that we don't easily surrender,...

Chance to catch Messi and company

  FAM deputy president Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah and vice president Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin with FC Barcelona chief executive officer Antoni Rossich yesterday. Pic by Osman Adnan LIONEL Messi's presence alone could sell half the tickets despite reigning world club champions FC Barcelona's date with a Malaysian XI at the National Stadium on Aug 10 falling on the third day of Hari Raya. The much anticipated visit of the four-time European champions comes with expectations from fans who want a full star-studded line-up. "The summer will be a busy period with a lot of uncertainty with players moving away and coming in. "But yes, our plans are to bring our full team here," said FC Barcelona chief executive officer Antoni Rossich yesterday. Rossich was speaking at the announcement of the friendly match, which is part of the three-match FC Barcelona Asia Tour 2013, which sees the giants also visiting China and Thailand. Also pre...