U23 SEA GAMES TEAM
MALAYSIA 0:1 THAILAND
SEA GAMES FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT 2001 (KL. MALAYSIA)
15/09/2001 19:45 TST.
Thailand won the SEA Games football tournament gold for the fifth consecutive time when they edged hosts Malaysia with a late goal at the Shah Alam Stadium tonight. The winning goal came three minutes from the end when Malaysian goalkeeper Kamarulzaman Hassan turned the ball into his own net as he went down to try and retrieve a cross.
After a fine tournament, it was somewhat of a pity that the winning goal for the gold medal had to be decided in this manner. But that's football and Thailand walked away with the winner's medal in front of over 70,000 fans. Thailand have won the gold consecutively since the 1991 Manila SEA Games.
For the Malaysians, the loss was a bitter pill to swallow as they were aiming to win the gold for the first time since 1989 when the SEA Games were held in Kuala Lumpur.
The victory for the Thais also made up for their defeat at the hands of Malaysia during the Merdeka Tournament held here in June this year. Malaysia then defeated the Thais 2-1.
In tonight's match, the rain came crashing down just minutes after the start. That may have contributed in a great way to the lack of serious action in the first half. In fact, the two keepers had little to do apart from booting the goal kicks.
To the delight of the home fans, the Malaysians earned their first corner kick in the fourth minute but a weak kick from Indra Putra was easily cleared away.
A freekick on the left of the box opened up another opportunity for the homesters but this time Indra Putra's kick sailed over the box and out of play.Thailand's Narongchai Vachiraban let loose a powerful shot from the top of the box but Kamarulzaman was there to his goal safe.
The Malaysians were fortunate that a blunder in the six-yard box did not result in a goal in the 38th minute. As Kamarulzaman moved in, a defender ran into him as both toppled over the ball fell into the path of Datsakorn but he was a little slow and another defender rushed in to save the day.
In the last few minutes, Narongchai fired from 20 metres out and as Kamarulzaman tried to get to it, he appeared to slip. The Malaysian keeper however was quick and used his legs to turn the ball away from danger.
Malaysia had their first close chance minutes after the break. Akmal Rizal Rakhli's powerful freekick came off the Thai keeper but Juzaili Samion was unable to force it in.
As the rain stopped after about an hour, the game improved as players were able to move better on the drier pitch. Datsakorn's corner kick found Narongchai but his header went inches over the crossbar.
Several minutes later, Thailand were awarded a freekick but Narongchai's long range effort was well caught by Kamarulzaman.
A freekick received after Hairuddin Omar was brought down almost resulted in a goal. Irwan Fadzli's left-footed shot however slipper over the crossbar.
With three minutes on the clock and extratime looming, Thailand finally broke the deadlock. Sarawut sent in a low cross from the right but as Kamarulzaman tried to retrieve, it went off him and rolled in.MALAYSIA: Kamarulzaman Hassan, Norhafiz Zamani, Juzaili Samion, Irwan Fadzli Idrus, Mohd Nidzam Jamil, Mohd Khaironnisam Sahabuddin, Indra Putra Mahyuddin, Rezuan Mohd Radzy, Hairuddin Omar, Akmal Rizal Rakhli, Mohd Nizaruddin Yusof (K. Rajan).
THAILAND: Umarin Yaodam, Jukkpant Punpee, Preratat Phoruandee, Rungpoj Hawanchri, Narongchai Vachiraban, Anucha Kitpongsri, Surapong Thamwongsa, Sarawut Trephan, Phichitphonh Choeichiu, Manit Noyvach, Datsakorn Thonglao.
