Football
Kelvin Leong 9y

Defending champions Singapore knocked out of Suzuki Cup

Malaysia booked their spot in the 2014 AFF Suzuki Cup Semifinal after a last-gasp 3-1 victory over defending champions Singapore in the final Group B match at the Sports Hub on Sunday night.

The game started as a drab affair in the first half, only for things to ignite in the second. Safee Sali gave Malaysia the lead in the 61st minute before the Lions equalised through Khairul Amri in the 83rd.

With the hosts seemingly set to advance to the final four, Safiq Rahim stepped up to convert a 90th minute penalty. Seconds later, Indra Putra Mahayuddin slotted into an empty net to stun the Sports Hub crowd into complete silence.

The first half began as a tense midfield tussle with neither side able to penetrate in the attacking third. Malaysia's Gary Steven Robbat and Safiq Rahim were good foils for in-form midfielder Hariss Harun who sat deep. Captain Shahril Ishak played in a slightly more advanced role.

Shaiful Esah continued his good form when he sent a cross-field pass to an unmarked Fazrul Nawaz in the third minute. The Home United forward allowed the ball to drop but rifled his volley just wide off the post.

The best chance of the half fell to the visitors in the 41st minute. Azammuddin Akil got past Shaiful and sent in a cross which Ismadi Mukhtar miscleared into the path of Safee Sali. The veteran striker's instinctive shot was kept out by Singapore goalkeeper Hassan Sunny.

The Lions came out in the second period with renewed enthusiasm. Within three minutes, Faris Ramli cut in from the left and spliced through the entire Malaysian defence before sending a low shot fizzling past the left post with Fahmi Che Mat scrambling at full stretch.

Just when the home side were on the ascendency, Malaysia stunned the 48,182 spectators in the 60th minute. Akil won the ball in his own half and sent Mahali Jasuli down the right flank. Mahali freed Safee who sent a perfect cross to Amri Yahyah. The Malaysian midfielder side-footed the ball across the box into the path of Safee, who took one touch and unleashed an unstoppable shot into the roof of the net from a tight angle.

Harimau Malaya almost doubled their lead seven minutes later when the attacking trident of Safee, Amri and Norshahdul Idlan Talaha combined potently. Norshahdul fired the ball past Hassan in goal but the linesman saved the Lions with his raised off-side flag.

As Stange's men pushed forward in search of the much needed equaliser, Mahali's long punt released Amri who had only Safuwan marking him as Hassan came charging out. But the LionsXII defender managed put the ball out for a corner.

The German tactician had one last throw of the dice when he brought on youngster Amirul Adli in defence to push Safuwan into attack. The move paid dividend in the 82nd minute when Safuwan sent his 20-yard free-kick to the bottom right corner, only to see Fahmi palm it out. But Amri ghosted in to slot home the rebound to tie the game at one apiece.

Malaysia were rattled. But the story had only just begun when Amri Yahyah was adjudged to have been fouled inside the box in the 91st minute, as he received a Zubir Azmi cross. Referee Al Kaf Ahmed Abu Bakar Said pointed to the spot. Safiq Rahim stepped up and sent the Malaysian fans into wild frenzy as he slotted home to make it 2-1 for the visitors.

To add insult to injury, Singapore were caught cold in the 94th minute when Hassan went up for a free-kick only to see Malaysian substitute Indra Putra Mahayuddin run the length of the pitch to drill the ball into an empty net as the 2010 ASEAN champions sealed their berth against Vietnam in the semifinal.

Dollah Salleh walked into the post-match press conference and his first words were "heart attack".

"Overall, I'm happy with my players," said Dollah. "They gave their very best and I'm proud that they never gave up even at 1-1 and we managed to get a penalty and that's it. After I took over as national team coach, we have gone four to five games without winning. At least now, we finally got one and made it to the semifinal."

Dollah was also quick to defend the notion that he brought on Felda United's veteran winger Indra Putra Mahayuddin as the last alternative. "There is something special with Indra, he always comes in from the blind side and that is how he scored the goal. At least this shows that senior players are worth their places in the team."

Singapore coach Stange was calm unlike his players who were seen confronting the match officials at the end of the game."When the draw was made, we knew it was going to be a tough road against powerhouse Thailand, former coach Radojko Avramovic's Myanmar and also the derby tonight against Malaysia. The match started slow. There were not too many scoring opportunities -- it was controlled and tactical. We didn't want to play for a draw because it is too risky."

When asked about the penalty decision late in the game, the former Belarus coach refused to speculate. "In my view, it did not look like a penalty. I have to see the replay though and if that was not a penalty in the 92nd minute, then it would be a shame for such a good game of football."

In the other Group B match at Jalan Besar Stadium, Kiatisuk Senamuang's Thailand defeated Myanmar 2-0 with goals from Tanaboon Kesarat and Prakit Deeprom to finish as group leaders.

Malaysia will now take on Vietnam over two legs. Three-time champion Thailand face off against the Philippines. The first leg games will be held on Dec. 6 and 7 while the second leg takes place on Dec. 10 and 11.

Singapore Starting XI: Hassan Sunny (GK), Ismadi Mukhtar, Safuwan Baharudin, Shakir Hamzah, Shaiful Esah (65' Hafiz abu Sujad), Hariss Harun, Faris Ramli, Shahfiq Ghani (77' Amirul Adli), Shahril Ishak(C), Fazrul Nawaz (63' Gabriel Quak), Khairul Amri

Malaysia Starting XI: Khairul Fahmi Bin Che Mat (GK), Mahali Jasuli, Shukor Adan(C), Zubir Azmi, Muslim Ahmad, Azammuddin Akil, Safiq Rahim, Gary Steven Robbat (58' Hafiz Kamal), Amri Yahyah, Norshahrul Idlan Talaha (90' Manaf Mamat), Safee Sali (90'+4 Indra Putra Mahayuddin)

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