Malaysia defended their Southeast Asian Games football title Monday with a nerve-shredding 4-3 win on penalties after their hotly anticipated final with hosts Indonesia ended 1-1 following extra time.
Gunawan Dwi Cahyo's fourth minute headed goal for Indonesia put Malaysia on the back foot and scrambling to make their way back into the match.
Gunawan Dwi Cahyo's fourth minute headed goal for Indonesia put Malaysia on the back foot and scrambling to make their way back into the match.
On the 35th minute however, Malaysia found their way back into the game with a messy, but priceless headed goal of their own through Omar Mohamad Asrarudin; an equaliser that would tip the game back in the Harimau's favour.
The second half saw both team share equal amounts of dominance with Malaysia slowly tiring further into the half. With both teams unable to find the net in natural play, the game was sent into extra-time.
Two disallowed goals for offsides in extra-time saw the match then thrown into a penalty shootout.
Indonesia was first to kick and Bonai converted his attempt. Malaysia then followed suit through a Mahali strike.
Indonesian goal-scorer Gunawan was next, but failed to convert his attempt. Malaysian Fakri would later miss his attempt as well, drawing the shootout level again.
At 3-3, Indonesian hard-man Ferdinand failed to convert his attempt, putting the game in the hands of Malaysian skipper Baddrol who converted successfully.
Baddrol's strike sealed victory for the Harimau Muda, who managed to defend their crowns as SEA Games football gold medalists.
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| Khairul Fahmi Che Mat |
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| Badrul Bakhtiar |
