Malaysia Beat Defending Champ Indonesia
By Alex How

Bandar Seri Begawan - Malaysia sent defending champions Indonesia packing in an explosive Group A match of the Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy for Under-21 Asean Youth Football Championship winning 2-0 at the Belapan field yesterday.

In another Group A match yesterday, Vietnam were too strong for the Philippines winning 3-0 at Berakas Sports Complex. Vietnam's striker Pham Thanh Nguyen helped his team by scoring two goals on 26th and 44th minutes. Luc Hong Quan then added the third goal for Vietnam on 74th minute.

There was an altercation on the field in the Malaysia-Indonesia match on 80th minute.

The situation developed as a result of some aggressive behaviour of some players from both teams.

The situation erupted when a player from one side made an aggressive tackle which resulted on other players joining the scuffle.

Match and team an official from both sides tried to calm the situation but was unable to. As a result, the match commissioner instructed security personnel to enter the field to try to diffuse the situation and to calm the players.

The move was also to ensure the safety of match officials and players. The situation calmed down thereafter and the match resumed.

Four red cards were shown as a result of the situation to Mohamad Zaquan Adha Abd Razak and Wan Mohd Hoesne bin Wan Hussain from Malaysia and to Ahmad Junaidi and Prananda Aditya from Indonesia.

The technical working committee of the tournament will convene a meeting today to investigate and evaluate the situation and to discuss possible actions, if any that need to be taken as a result.

Indonesia's intention was clear to get an early goal pushing players forward in attacks. Eko Wijayanto almost took the lead for Indonesia after he was found unmarked in the penalty box but his shot was well blocked by Malaysia's defender Mohd Hafizulldin bin Mohd Noor in the 10th minute.

Malaysia soaked up the pressure and the momentum of the game changed as Malaysia got their composure and led the attack after the interval.

Malaysia's Mohamad Zaquan Adha Abd Razak blew a chance when he was one-on-one with the Indonesian keeper, Roni Tri Prasnanto but keeper did well to stop the shot.

Roni also stopped another powerful shot from Malaysia's Safiq bin Rahim.

Malaysia finally took the lead in the 60th minute from substitute Mohd Sabre bin Mat Abu. Safiq squared in the ball from the left and found Mohd Sabre who just needed a simple tap-in to make it 1-0.

Indonesia's chance of an equaliser slipped away when Bobby Satria failed to convert a penalty won by Ahmad Zaelani.

Malaysia was two-up in the dying minutes when skipper Mohamad Aidil Zafuan Abd Razak headed in a well-taken corner.

After the match, Malaysia's coach K Rajagopal praised the fighting spirit of the young Malaysian players.

They were here for the result and they had completed the mission. He added he would choose the best players for the next match.

Indonesia's assistant coach Soetadi was disappointed with the result, especially the penalty that they missed. However, he hoped his team would bounce back in the next match against the Philippines. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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