(Dailyexpress):Malaysia whip Laos 4-1

 dailyexpress website:
Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia scored an emphatic 4-1 victory over Laos in a Group B AFF Suzuki Cup 2012 match at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil, Wednesday night.
Malaysia's win coupled with Indonesia's 1-0 victory over Singapore in the earlier Group B match meant the race for a spot in the semifinals is still wide open with Indonesia topping the group on four points while Malaysia and Singapore both have 3 points each. Laos remain on 1 point.
Malaysia will play Indonesia on Dec 1.
Malaysia opened the scoring through Safiq Rahim in the 15th minute to ease Malaysian nerves in their must-win game Wednesday.
However, Laos punished some slack defending when Khonesavanh Sihavong equalised from a deflected shot in the 39th minute.
Both teams were tied 1-1 at half time.
A 3-goal blitz after the hour mark from Malaysia through hotshot Mohd Safee Mohd Sali in the 67th minute, Wan Zack Haikal Wan Nor (75th min) and Mohd Khyrill Muhymeen Zambri (79th min) ensured Malaysia still remain in contention for a berth in the semis.
Earlier Indonesia defeated 10-man Singapore 1-0.
The Indonesians who had to come back from 1-2 down to salvage a 2-2 draw against lowly Laos in the very last minute on Saturday, were the early aggressors when referee Ali Hasan Ebrahim from Bahrain set the ball rolling.
Andik Vermansyah, known as 'Messi Indonesia' was the toast of his team as he lived up to expectation by scoring the winner in the 86th minute against a tiring Singapore side that had to play with a man less from the 65th minute.
Singapore had to play the match with 10-man from the 65th minute when Muhammad Irwan Shah Arismail was given the marching orders by Ali Hasan for a crude tackle on Andik.
Andik though had the last laugh when his free kick from 15 metres out caught Singapore custodian Mohamad Izwan Mahbud by surprise.

The result was welcomed by Malaysian fans as it gives Malaysia a fighting chance to make the semifinals.