Two years ago, Malaysia had spoilt the party for Indonesia when they defeated the hosts by the same score (aet 1-1, 4-3 on penalties) in the final at the Jakarta SEA Games.
Indonesian goalkeeper Kurnia Meiga was the hero when he saved the opening two shots by A. Thamil Arasu and Syamsol Saad. The other penalty takers who scored were Mohd Nazmi Faiz, Mohd Fadhli Shas and Rozaimi Abdul Rahman.
The Indonesians scored through Alfin Ismail, M. Diego, Yandi Sofyan and Ferinando Pahabol while Manahati Lestusen ballooned his shot.
In the game, Indonesia led through Bayu Gatra’s goal in the 31s minute before Thamil rescued Malaysia with a late equaliser six minutes from time.
Malaysia dished out a lethargic performance with barely any real goal-scoring attempts except for centreback Mohd Fadhli Shas squandering a sitter from point blank range in stoppage time of the first-half.
Indonesia sounded the early warning taking control of the game in midfield and came close with the opening goal after striker Adi Soffian rocked the woodwork with a thunderous shot taken from outside the box in the 25th minute.
Bayu Gatra punished the Malaysian defence from a neat set-piece scoring the opening goal in the 31st minute.
Desperate Malaysian coach Datuk Ong Kim Swee, in his bid to find the equaliser, sent in two additional strikers Rozaimi Abdul Rahman and Izzaq Faris Ramlan in the second-half.
Thamil scored a late equaliser after he connected substitute Mohd Nazmi Faiz’s corner-kick six minutes from time.
thestar.com.my
