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.