SINGAPORE: Late goals by Safiq Rahim and Indra Putra Mahayuddin earned Malaysia a dramatic 3-1 win over Singapore in a Group B match to reach the semi-finals of the AFF Cup at the National Stadium today.
Malaysia finish second to Thailand with four points and the former champions will host Group A winners Vietnam in the semi-final, first leg on Dec 7 in Kuala Lumpur.
In a tight game, Safee Sali had a chance to end his two-year goal drought for the national team three minutes before the breather but the striker failed to score from close range after latching onto a poor clearance inside the Singapore box.
The 30-year-old’s attempt rattled the left post with only Singapore goalkeeper Hassan Sunny to beat after Amri Yahyah’s powerful shot from outside the box sailed just inches over the crossbar after nine minutes.
Safee, however, made amends in the second half with a superb volley inside the box in the 61st minute before Singapore’s Khairul Amri levelled proceedings in the 82nd minute by scoring from a rebound.
But Safiq Rahim scored in the final minute from the penalty spot after Amri was brought down in the box. Substitute Indra Putra Mahayuddin scored in stoppage time to seal the win.
The other semi-final will be between Thailand and the Philippines.