The Malaysia Experiment - SEA Championship 2020

Welcome to the semifinals of SEA Championship 2020 aka Suzuki Cup. I would think our matchup against Brunei (2nd place in Group B) would be the one that promises more fireworks as it's between the top 2 teams that scored the most goals in the tournament so far. The other semifinal pits Singapore (Winner of Group B) against Myanmar (2nd place in Group A), one of the tournament's stingiest defense.

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I couldn't leave out Benjamin Ibrahim (MR) as he's the tournament's best player so far, as well as bringing in Amuhum Gurusamy Govandar (MC) for Ibrahim Ismail (MC). We definitely have to keep a lookout for Mohd Yusri Sahuili (ST), the tournament's top scorer with 6 goals so far. Let's make sure he doesn't add to his tally in the next two games.

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Something must have clicked since the match against Indonesia; we've been scoring goals for fun, and they start banging them in early in the game. Gone are the days when we have goalless first halves and leave it till late to score. It was again Benjamin Ibrahim (MR) who dribbled down the touchline on the right and whipped in a cross. Luqman Hussain (AML) rose the highest amongst three defenders and headed it towards Ibrahim Salleh (ST). I'm not too sure was it intentional or unintentional, but the ball seemed to have bounced off the striker's head as he looked as if he was taking a stroll in the park. Mohd Fakhirul Zulhamzi Yussof (GK) was positioned too far to reach for the header and the ball ended up in the net. 1-0 to Harimau Malaya!

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Now I can't accuse Salleh of being lucky as his second goal in the 37th was definitely not a fluke. We were awarded a freekick after a foul on Hafiz Azman (AMC), which he took the resulting free kick himself. He sent a long cross towards the far post, Mohd Hakeen Keri (DC) missed the interception and Salleh got to the receiving end of it.

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2-0 up by halftime with my striker on fire, what more could I ask for? The other semifinal match was indeed dour with the score at 0-0.

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I decided to make some substitutions a bit earlier than my usual hour mark; with Ibrahim Ismail (MC) and Rahim Osman (AML) coming in for Azman and Hussain. In the 62nd minute, we scored another goal from a set piece as the ball pinballed around in their penalty box. Gnanalingam finally pounced on it and since the goalkeeper had already committed to an earlier shot, it seemed like the ball trickled into the net with everyone watching on.

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They managed to pull one back with some brilliant football, as well as some slack defending from Abhishek Pannirselvam (DC). Sahuili easily blew past him and as Shakir Roslan (DC) came over to cover for his teammate's error, it left Mohd Asri Aspar (ST) wide open. I could feel that everyone was holding their breath as he struck the ball with all his might. It ended up in the top left corner and we had our wake up call.

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I'm glad my central defenders quickly made amends in the next minute. This time another corner kick, but from the right. Mohd Fauzi Abdul Razak (MC) took the corner, Ibrahim won the header and Pannirselvam went for the volley. Yussof got to it but it cannoned off his hands and Roslan was on hand to capitalize it with a poacher's effort. Goal! His first goal for Malaysia, on his 33rd cap!

Job well done in Bandar Seri Begawan as we trashed them 4-1. We look forward to seeing them 3 days later at home. I delighted to bring home a 3-goal advantage.

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As we have a 3-goal cushion, I opted to sit out all my players on a yellow card; another yellow card would mean suspension for the final. Due to limited options, I still had to start Iskandar Baseri (DR) but he isn't my first choice fullback. Rahim Osman (AML) is given an opportunity to shine as well.

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The boys have been playing well but just couldn't find the finishing touch. Salleh had his chances but the defense was equally good. Our breakthrough only came in the 36th minute, another set piece. This time Pannirselvam's header found the net and we were up 1-0!

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We were dominating the game with 50% possession and 5 shot on target but we only managed 1 goal so far. In the other semifinal match, Singapore is leading 2-0 on the night and on aggregate as well.

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We completed the rout in the 77th minute when second-half substitute Jasni Abidin crossed the ball for Osman. He heads it in as he's staking a claim for a regular spot in my starting line up! This can only be a welcome problem for me. :)

We're in the final of SEA Championship and have an opportunity to retain the trophy! Our opponent is our noisy neighbor Singapore after they trashed Myanmar 4-0 at home. I'm actually glad that we'll be playing away first with the second leg at home. I'm sure our supporters will be coming out in droves as Malaysia is quite a football fanatic nation! :)

If you enjoyed this entry,
you can follow the story by clicking the link below:
The Malaysia Experiment - Twice In A Row?

If you missed out on any of my previous entries,
you can check them out below:

The Malaysia Experiment - SEA Championship 2020 | Semifinal