KUALA LUMPUR: After being stomped on for much of the match by the War Elephants, Malaysia coach Kim Pan Gon was relieved to see his team come away with one-goal advantage for the return leg at Thammasat Stadium in Bangkok on Tuesday.
Malaysia managed to edge defending champions Thailand 1-0 in the AFF Cup semi-finals first leg at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium with the winner from Faisal Halim early in the first half.
South Korean coach Pan Gon praised the Malaysians for their fighting spirit tonight.
"Thailand are a strong and good team. It's not easy. We tried to pressure them but it was not easy. Timing and space, all was tough," admitted Pan Gon.
"I'm satisfied with how our players overcame the situation.
"It's hard to say 1-0 is enough (for Malaysia to get through the second leg). But it was very important that we didn't concede because the away goal may be a factor.
"I'm very proud of our Harimau Malaya players. Congratulations to them. All Malaysian football fans should be proud of the team.
"But we have to quickly recover and prepare for the second game. It was tough tonight but it will be tougher in the second game," said Pan Gon.
