KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia secured a vital 1-0 win against Thailand in the first leg of the AFF Cup semi-final yesterday at Bukit Jalil to give rise to their hopes of reaching the final.
The goal by winger Faisal Halim in the 11th minute made all the difference. However much of the game was played in Malaysia's half as Thailand dominated proceedings.
In the three main areas: attack, midfield and defence, Harimau Malaya came out tops in only the defence.
Fortunately, the Malaysian backline were able to repel waves after waves of attack by the War Elephants.
TIMESPORT RATING
Defence (Malaysia 9/10, Thailand 6/10)
The three centrebacks: Dominic Tan, Brendan Gan and Sharul Nazeem were uncompromising in facing the Thai assaults.
And with Syihan Hazmi outstanding in goal, Malaysia proved to be a tough nut for the visitors to crack.
Though allowing the Thais a bit more time and space in wider areas, coach Kim Pan Gon had his men crowding out the War Elephants in the central area, denying the Thais room to maneuver.
Even though Thailand registered 14 shots in total, only four of those were on target.
The Thai defence, in contrast, had an easier time. But their lapses in concentration allowed Faisal to ghost in and score, and they also conceding a goal (scored by Malaysia's Dominic Tan) from a free kick in the second half.
Midfield (Malaysia 5/10, Thailand 8/10)
Malaysia were almost non-existent in this area as the pairing of Stuart Wilkin and Lee Tuck just did not gain enough ball possession to feed passes for the strikers to work on.
Thailand were dominant in the middle of the park with Theerathon Bunmanthan, Sarach Yooyen and Peeradol Chamrasamee running rings around Wilkin as Tuck struggled to click with his engine room partner.
Thailand, with a total of 557 passes, a figure that more than doubled Malaysia's, had the lion's share of the game.
Thailand, who had 72% ball possession, were let down by poor finishing while Malaysian defending, at the other end, was resolute.
Attack (Malaysia 6/10, Thailand 7/10)
The first 30 minutes of the match was the only phase in the game where the Malaysian attack looked to have a bit of sting. And Malaysia did the most important thing - score a goal. As after that, the Tigers lost their shape and played with their tails between their legs.
Darren Lok cut a lonesome figure up front, battling with two Thai centrebacks in Pansa Hemviboon and Kritsada Kaman while Faisal, apart from his goal, and Safawi Rasid, hardly seemed lethal.
Thai attackers Ekanit Panya and Bordin Phala were a threat to Malaysia with their incisive runs, but somehow couldn't find the net.
