M’sians hope for 2010 miracle as tournament enters crucial stage
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian fans will certainly be hoping for history to repeat itself as the AFF Suzuki Cup 2012 enters a crucial stage.
Defending champions Malaysia made a jittery start to their title defence by going down 0-3 to Singapore in their opening Group B match last Sunday but bounced back in style on Wednesday to beat Laos 4-1.
The win, coupled with Singapore’s 0-1 loss to Indonesia, has revived Malaysia’s hopes of making it to the semi-finals since the race for the top and second spot in the group was thrown wide open.
However, Malaysia still has a mammoth task of beating previous edition’s runner-up Indonesia in their next match, to have any chance of defending the title.
Malaysia’s loss in the first match of the campaign this year was quite similar to what had happened during the 2010 edition when the national team lost 1-5 to Indonesia in their first match.
Malaysia, facing an early exit from the competition later drew 1-1 with Thailand and beat Laos 5-1 to sneak into the semi-finals courtesy of Indonesia who beat Thailand.
In the semi-finals though Malaysia produced a splendid performance to beat Vietnam 2-0 on aggregate after playing a home and away match and book a place in the final.
In the home and away final, Malaysia scored a thumping 3-0 win at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil but lost 1-2 in Jakarta to emerge victorious on a 4-2 aggregate.
So, the statistics do favour Malaysia albeit different circumstances this time around because Malaysia will have to beat Indonesia to qualify while Singapore have an easier task of beating Laos to earn a slot.
Indonesia are also in a comfortable position with four points and can afford to play for a draw against Malaysia but for the home team, nothing less than a win will ensure their path to the semi-final.
In fact, despite accepting the 0-3 loss to Singapore with an open heart, national head coach Datuk K Rajagobal had told reporters that the 2010 AFF Suzuki Cup history will repeat itself.
Thus far, Rajagobal’s prediction remains on the right track but he would require his boys to maintain the momentum against Indonesia tomorrow.
Rajagobal who had promised major changes after the 0-3 defeat to Singapore, dropped goalkeeper Khairul Fahmi Che Mat and brought in Farizal Marlias as his replacement and also made changes to his engine room and strike force by introducing Mahali Jasuli, Shakir Shaari and Wan Zack Haikal Wan Noor.
But though the changes had brought about instant positive results against Laos, Rajagobal need the same level of commitment from his boys to overcome Indonesia at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil tomorrow. — Bernama