Malaysia stun Myanmar to reach SEA Games semis

Posted Tuesday, August 22, 2017 by foxsportsasia

Hosts Malaysia secured their spot in the semi-finals of the 2017 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games with a game to spare after recording a memorable 3-1 win over Myanmar on Monday.

Despite entering the game at Shah Alam Stadium as underdogs, the Young Tigers stunned their opponents by claiming a two-goal lead by halftime, courtesy of goals by N. Thanabalan and Safawi Rasid.

Thanabalan then headed home a third in the 82nd minute to put the result beyond doubt, although Myanmar did net a consolation through a Than Paing effort four minutes from time.

The result sees Malaysia move level on nine points with Myanmar at the top of Group A, and they are now assured of a berth in the last four.

But, with one final game against Laos on Wednesday, Ong Kim Swee’s charges only need to avoid defeat to finish top and avoid meeting the top-placed side in Group B – currently Vietnam – in the semis.

And there will be few who would bet against that should they produce a repeat of Monday’s inspirational display.

Rather than being overawed at coming up against the Group A leaders, and one of the pre-tournament favourites, Malaysia looked to take the game to their opponents from the opening whistle.

They duly broke the deadlock in the 33rd minute when Safawi Rasid did brilliantly to beat his man down the left and float a dangerous cross into the box.

Although S. Kumaahran missed his initial attempt at a header, Matthew Davies was on hand to guide the ball into the path of Thanabalan, who instinctively stuck out his left boot to poke the ball post Sann Sat Naing from eight yards out.

Just two minutes later, Safawi went from provider to scorer as he was perfectly positioned inside the area to meet Kumaahran’s inch-perfect delivery, stooping low to nod into the back of the net.

Myanmar did try to muster a response after the break but the hosts were steady at the back, with goalkeeper Haziq Nadzli and centre-back Adam Nor Azlin in particular looking unbeatable.

Nonetheless, it was Thanabalan who emerged as the biggest hero of the night.

With eight minutes left, the 22-year-old somehow summoned the energy to make charge from the middle of the park to inside the opposition area, meeting Jafri Firdaus Chew’s glorious left-wing cross with a flying header into the far corner.

Just four minutes later, Myanmar managed to salvage some pride when captain Sithu Aung pounced on a mistake from Adib Zainuddin and unselfishly squared the ball to leave Than Paing with the simplest of tap-ins.

However, it did little to tarnish what was ultimately an outstanding performance from the Malaysians, who must now believe they have every chance of going all the way.

In Monday’s other Group A clash, Phithack Kongmathilath notched a second-half hat-trick to hand Laos a 3-0 triumph over Brunei Darussalam, sending his side up to third while their opponents remain rooted to the bottom of Group A.