Safiq Rahim converted a penalty and Indra Putra Mahayuddin scored into an unguarded net in stoppage time as Malaysia beat Singapore 3-1 at the National Stadium on Saturday to advance to the semi-finals of the AFF Suzuki Cup and send the defending champions crashing out of the tournament.
Khairul Amri had appeared to have rescued a crucial equaliser seven minutes from time for Singapore after Safee Sali had fired Malaysia into the lead just after the hour.
But with the game entering stoppage time, the Tigers were awarded a spot kick after the referee spotted an infringement in the penalty area and Safiq coolly converted to restore their lead.
And with Singapore pushing goalkeeper Hassan Sunny forward for a late corner, Malaysia then broke clear and Indra Putra rolled the ball into the empty goal to spark wild celebrations among the Malaysian fans.
Malaysia will now meet Group A winners Vietnam with the first leg in Kuala Lumpur on December 7, while Group B winners Thailand will travel to Manila for the first leg of their semi-final against the Philippines a day earlier.
It was just Malaysia’s second win in eight games under coach Dollah Salleh, who was relieved with the result.
“Thank God in the last minute, we managed to get the penalty,” he said. “But overall I’m happy with the players because they gave everything until the very end and we got the goals.
“Right now, I don’t want to think about Vietnam. I just want to celebrate today.”
After fielding an unchanged line-up in their first two games, Singapore made three changes with Shakir Hamzah replacing the suspended Baihakki Khaizan in defence, Shafiq Ghani coming in for Shahdan Sulaiman, who was out of the tournament with a broken fibula, and Fazrul Nawaz replacing Sahil Suhaimi on the right flank.
Malaysia also made three changes from their 3-2 loss to Thailand with Gary Robbat returning from suspension and Azammudin Akil and Muslim Ahmad also drafted in to replace Afif Amiruddin, S.Kunanlan and Fadhli Shas.
The pressure of the occasion, though, seemed to get to both teams in the opening half which was blighted with sloppy play and often aimless passing.
Singapore had an early sight of goal after four minutes when Fazrul brought down the ball on the right of Malaysia box and hit an in-swinging curler that swerved just off target.
At the other end, Amri Yahyah found himself in space outside the box after nine minutes but launched his shot over the crossbar from 20 yards.
The best opportunity of the half arrived three minutes before the interval when the Singapore defence struggled to clear their lines and the ball fell to a lurking Safee, who slammed the ball against the upright from a narrow angle on the right.
After struggling to create chances in the first half, Singapore crafted a good opportunity four minutes after the break as Faris Ramli controlled the ball on the edge of box and made space for a shot before firing a low shot narrowly wide.
Malaysia went close to taking the lead in the 56th minute when Norshahrul Idlan Talaha was played around the back of the Singapore defence and rounded Hassan only for Safuwan Baharuddin to get back in time to hack the ball clear.
However, Malaysia took the lead just a minute later when Amri Yahyah played the ball to Safee in space on the right of the box and the striker rifled an unstoppable effort into the roof of the net.
Singapore appeared to be running short of ideas and Safuwan was pushed forward in a desperate attempt to get an equaliser as Khairul Amri then fired a shot straight at Khairul Fahmi in the 82nd minute from the edge of the box.
But the striker was right on the spot a minute later when the Malaysia goalkeeper spilled a free-kick by Safuwan and Khairul Amri tucked the ball into the net from point-blank range.
Khairul Fahmi made a fine diving save to turn aside Shahril’s free-kick in the 85th minute to keep the score level.
But there were dramatic scenes in stoppage time when Malaysia were awarded a penalty following a clash inside the box and Safiq kept his cool and sent Hassan the wrong way from the spot.
And with Singapore desperately seeking an equaliser, Indra Putra broke clear and tucked the ball in from 30 yards to send the defending champions out of the competition with Hassan out of position.
“I’ve learnt in my time as a coach that it is the referee who gives a penalty and I cannot judge it until I see the replay,” said Singapore coach Bernd Stange.
“From my view, it didn’t look like a penalty and I have to see the replay and I judge the referee. But it’s a heartbreaker to lose to such a decision.
“I have only to praise the team for their attitude and commitment. I’m not too disappointed with the performance, but with the result tonight and we are feeling empty right now.”
Source: AFFSuzukiCup.com
