Merdeka Tournament 2008: Vietnam is the new Champions!
Saturday, 25 October 08, 08:45 PM · Comments(0)
Malaysia failed to defend the Merdeka Cup going down 5-6 to Vietnam on penalty kicks after a goaless 120 minutes at the National Stadium, Bukit Jalil Saturday night.
With a reputation of 18 goals scored with none against, the Malaysians were quick on the draw but the goal by Indra Putra Mahayuddin in the 7th minute was ruled offside.
Their best chance in the 25 minute when skipper Mohd Syukor Adan headed the ball straight into the arms of Vietnamese goalkeeper Bui Tan Truong.
The Vietnamese represented by their Under 23 squad launched several swift counter attacks causing much worry to the Malaysian defence.
The decision by coach B. Sathiananthan in replacing midfielder Mohd Hardi Jaafar with Mohd Ashaari Samsuddin early in the second half failed to breach the Vietnamese defence.
The 30,000-strong home crowd were left disappointed when there were no goals to show after 90 minutes of open play.
Thirty minutes of extra time also failed to produce a winner.
Malaysia's dream of defending the Cup ended after defender Norhafiz Zamani Misbah failed to convert his spot kick when tied at 5-5.
Mai Tien Thanh was Vietnam's hero when his spot kick defeated Malaysian goalkeeper Mohd Helmi Eliza Elias.
The Vietnamese who lifted their first Merdeka Cup since 1966 returned with USD 10,000 while Malaysia received USD5,000
Malaysia: Mohd Helmi Elias, Norhafiz Zamani Misbah, Mohd Zaquan Radzak (Hairuddin Omar), Mohd Zafuan Radzak, Mohd Safee Sali, Muhd Shukor Adan, Indra Putra Mahayuddin, Mohd Daudsu Jamaluddin (Mohd Khyril Muhymeen Zambri), Mohd Hardy Jaafar, Irwan Fadhli Idrus, Amirulhadi Zainal (Mohd Ashaari Samsuddin).
Vietnam: Bui Tan Truong, Nguyon Thanh Long Giang, Pham Minh Duc, Nguyen Tang Tuan (Trinh Quang Vinh), Hoang Nhat Nam (Nguyen Duc Thien), Hoang Dinh Tung, Houng Danh Ngoc, Le Van Duyet, Mai Xuan Hop, Nguyen Cong Huy, Phan Thanh Binh (Mai Tien Thanh).
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Imanuel Gaingob said:Please bring in Frank Ribbery to Spice up the squad for nex season.
hydir said:malaysia pon boleh menang jugak.. kita tgk sapa yg menang nanti :)
jendral sudirman said:ha..ha..ha...
ga ada yg seHEBAT INDONESIA
pasti juara lah,....hehehehehe ^_...
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