Sunday 20 November 2011

Malaysia beat Myanmar to reach final in SEA Games

It will be a Malaysia vs Indonesia grudge match in the SEA Games football final.

In the semi-finals at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium here on Saturday, Malaysia booked their ticket to the final, when they overcame a gritty Myanmar side 1-0 through a goal from Ahmad Fakri Saarani in the 85th minute.

Indonesia booked their spot against Malaysia with a fighting 2-0 victory over Vietnam, with Patrich Steven Wanggai scoring off a freekick in the 61st minute and Titus Bonai on target in the 89th minute.

The final, which is scheduled to be played at 8.30pm on Monday, looks primed to be an explosive affair, especially since Malaysia defeated Indonesia 1-0 in their final Group A match on Thursday.

Against Myanmar on Saturday, Malaysia looked a pale shadow of the team that stunned Indonesia on Thursday.

Myanmar looked the more menacing team in the first half, creating several good moves to trouble the Malaysian defence.

However, the Malaysians came back stronger in the second half and took the fight to the Myanmar players. And the national team were duly rewarded when Ahmad Fakri struck from close range.

The second semi-final was keenly contested with Vietnam being on top in the first half. But the Indonesians picked up the tempo after the breather. And with the rain pouring down at Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium, Patrich’s low freekick slipped through the wall and beat Vietnam keeper Tran Buu Ngoc.

Then in the 89th minute, Bonai cut in from the right and his shot deflected off a Vietnam player and sailed into goal.

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