Striker Safee Sali (right) scored the first goal in Malaysia’s 3-1 win over Singapore. – Bernama pic
KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has congratulated the national football team following their victory over Singapore in the AFF Suzuki Cup 2014 tournament, Saturday night.
“Congratulations Harimau Malaya for defeating Singapore 3-1. We have made it to the semifinals of the #AFFSuzukiCup,” Najib tweeted.
Malaysia recorded the win in their final Group B match at the National Stadium, Singapore to book a place in the semi-finals.
In the semifinals to be played early next month, Malaysia will meet Group A champions Vietnam while Group B winners Thailand will meet Group A runners-up, Philippines.
The first leg of the semifinals will be played on Dec 6 and 7, with the return leg on Dec 10 and 11. – BernamaAFP News – 7 hours ago
- Reuters/REUTERS - Singapore's players react after losing 3-1 to Malaysia in their Suzuki Cup Group B match at the National Stadium in Singapore November 29, 2014. REUTERS/Edgar Su (SINGAPORE - Tags: SPORT
A stoppage-time penalty by Safiq Rahim and a shot by Indra Putra Mahayuddin into an unguarded net gave Malaysia a 3-1 win over Singapore on Saturday as the defending champions were eliminated from the AFF Suzuki Cup.
Khairul Amri's late equaliser had appeared to rescue a draw for the Lions but 2010 winners Malaysia were awarded a spot kick as the game entered added time for a foul on Amri Yahyah.
Safiq kept his head to convert and with Singapore goalkeeper Hassan Sunny going up for a late corner, the Tigers broke clear and Indra Putra rolled the ball in from 30 metres to seal the victory and send four-time winners Singapore crashing out of the tournament.
Safee Sali had fired Malaysia into a 61st lead with an unstoppable effort from the edge of the Singapore box but Amri levelled in the 83rd minute when he bundled the ball into the net after Malaysia goalkeeper Khairul Fahmi Che Mat had spilled a Safuwan Baharuddin free-kick.
Malaysia will meet Group A winners Vietnam in the semi-final with the first leg in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday, December 7 while Thailand, who topped Group B with a perfect record after a 2-0 win over Laos at Jalan Besar Stadium will travel to Manila for the first leg of their semi-final against Group B runners-up Philippines a day earlier.
The Thais fielded a much-changed team from their earlier wins over Singapore and Malaysia but they took the lead against Myanmar after 12 minutes when Tanaboon Kesarat rifled a shot into the top corner from the edge of the box.
Prakit Deeprom then sealed the win with seven minute left, firing in a free-kick from 25 metres to keep Thailand on course as they seek a first victory in the tournament since 2002.
