SHAH ALAM: Malaysia will head to Hanoi with an impossible mission after Dollah Salleh’s side were edged 2-1 by Vietnam in the AFF Cup semi-final first leg match at Shah Alam Stadium today.
The former AFF Cup champions were poor in every department and also kept losing the ball in crucial areas, frustrating the 65,000 fans that turned up for the match.
Vietnam tested Malaysia’s goalkeeper Khairul Fahmi Che Mat twice in the opening minutes before referee Ma Ning awarded the home team a penalty after Pham Thanh Luong handled the ball inside his box in the 14th minute.
Captain Safiq Rahim stepped up and made no mistakes from the spot for his third goal in the competition.
Despite taking the lead, Vietnam were more dominant especially in midfield, and the visitors soon levelled proceedings in the 32nd minute.
Winger Vo Huy Toan scored from close range after the initial shot by Nguyen Van Quyet was parried into his path by Malaysia keeper Khairul Fahmi.
Vietnam added a second through Van Quyet when the striker latched on a pass inside the box before skipping past Malaysia’s Zubir Azmi and slotting home in the 60th minute.
The match was marred by unruly Malaysia and Vietnam fans in the closing minutes. Fans threw kicks and punches at each other until the authorities stopped the fight. Plastic bottles were also hurled at the Vietnamese fans.
With a poor away record in Vietnam, it looks like Malaysia will have to work hard to turn the tables in the return leg in Hanoi on Thursday.