AFF Cup 2018: Be careful with the "resurrected" ego of Malaysians

After the first leg of the semi-final between Thailand and Malaysia at Bukit Jalil Stadium ended, many people thought that the Malaysians' chances were over. The 0-0 draw in the first leg was a huge advantage for Thailand. With a higher level, more experience and more courage, how could the Malaysians have a chance at Rajamangala in the second leg?

However, what happened at Rajamangala made the whole of Southeast Asia go from one surprise to another. It was truly a score chase of a lifetime in Southeast Asian football. And in the end, the losing team swallowed the most bitter taste that football can create.

Malaysia beat Thailand in the semi-finals in an unimaginable scenario. Photo: Internet

Thailand was the first team to open the score thanks to Zakaria in the 21st minute. But very quickly, the Malaysians showed a persistent effort, just 7 minutes after the opening goal, they had an equalizer from Syahmi Safari.

It seemed like the Thais had secured a place in the final after Hemviboon increased the score to 2-1 in the 61st minute. However, with their backs against the wall, the Malaysians once again rose up and succeeded with Syahmi Safari's second goal of the match.

With the score 2-2, Malaysia was the team that advanced thanks to 2 away goals. However, in the last minute of extra time, Thailand was unexpectedly awarded a penalty because a Malaysian defender touched the ball with his hand in the penalty area.

The Malaysian fans were ready to celebrate, but suddenly they were stunned, coach Tan Cheng Hoe bitterly shook his head in disappointment. On the other side, the Thais celebrated as if they had finished with the Malaysians. But then… Adisak collapsed, his shot flying high above the goal. The poor shot from Thailand’s top scorer in this year’s tournament officially ended their ambitions, and at the same time helped the Malaysians suddenly come back from the dead in a spectacular way.

This is not the first time the Malaysians have shown a slow, steady style of play, but step by step they have gone through the most difficult corners of a tournament.

Remember in 2009 when the SEA Games were held in Laos, Malaysia lost to U23 Vietnam with a score of 1-3 in the group stage. It was thought that Malaysia would have a hard time getting past the group stage because the only strong opponent competing for a place in the semi-finals was Thailand.

However, the Malaysians surprisingly overcame Thailand and went straight to the final to meet the team of coach Calitsto and his team again. In this confrontation, Malaysia learned many lessons from the previous defeat to overcome the number 1 candidate Vietnam and deservedly won the title, to the utter disappointment of Vietnamese football fans.

SEA Games 2009, U23 Malaysia defeated U23 Vietnam in the final match to unexpectedly win the championship. Photo: Internet

Malaysia's biggest championship in the Southeast Asian arena is the AFF Cup championship in 2010.

They had a terrible start with a 1-5 loss to host Indonesia. But in the end, they still overcame the difficulties with a 0-0 draw against Thailand and a 5-1 win over Laos to join host Indonesia in the final as 2nd place in Group A.

In the 2010 semi-finals, Malaysia defeated Vietnam with a total score of 2-0 after two home and away matches.

AFF Cup 2010, once again Malaysia redraws the scenario of overcoming difficulties to win the title. Photo: Internet

The scenario was quite similar to the 2009 SEA Games, when Indonesia won 5-1 against Malaysia in the group stage but was suddenly paid back by the Malaysians with a 5-1 victory after 2 final matches to convincingly win the title.

This year’s AFF Cup, Malaysia is also taking similar steps. Notably, in the group stage they lost 0-2 to Vietnam and are now our opponents in the final match.

Hopefully, Mr. Park Hang-seo will once again demonstrate his cool hand and the forged mettle of the current generation of players to help Vietnamese football reach the top of Southeast Asia once again after overcoming a tough opponent with a penchant for "resurrecting from the grave" like Malaysia.