SEA Games 2011 Indonesia:Malaysia U-23 NT defeats Indonesia U-23 NT in penalties, 1-1(4-3).

JAKARTA (21 Nov 2011) – Malaysian skipper Baddrol Bakhtiar and goalkeeper Khairul Fahmi Che Mat prevailed in the penalty shootout 4-3 to ensure Malaysia retained the prestigious SEA Games gold medal in a thrilling final in front of a capacity 80,000 fans at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium here tonight.

Indonesia took the early lead through defender Gunawan Dwi Cahyo but Malaysia equalised through Mohd Asraruddin Omar in the 36^th minute. The score remained unchanged after extratime. In the shootout, Khairul Fahmi saved the fifth kick while Baddrol drilled it down the centre to hand Malaysia the gold.

For Malaysia, today’s hard-fought victory has proven that they are the rising force of the game in the region. After winning the SEA Games gold two years ago in Laos, the Malaysians went on to wrest the AFF Suzuki Cup title last year.

While Malaysia were celebrating, it was heartbreak for Indonesia today as the result was a repeat of the 1997 SEA Games football where they had to settle for the silver after losing to Thailand in the shootout. That was also the last time Indonesia had qualified for the football final.

There was also extremely sad news tonight as two Indonesian fans died and many more were injured in a crush inside the stadium. According to the organisers, at the time of posting this story, the numbers of injured could be more.

In tonight’s final, Indonesia had the perfect start when defender Gunawan nodded his team ahead just five minutes into the game. Patrich had taken a shot which slammed into a defender and went out. From the ensuing corner kick by Oktovianus, a rising shot that dipped at the far post, an unmarked Gunawan easily headed the ball straight in.

Malaysia, which were without the services of Syahrul Azawari, Mohamad Fandi Othman and Izzaq Faris Ramlan, had a fine chance to level the score in the 12^th minute but Mohd Asraruddin Omar’s solid header off a cross from Baddrol flew directly into the arms of Kurnia Meiga. Malaysia had two missed chances from Thamil Arasu and Mohd Irfan Fazail in 17^th and 19 minutes.

Asraruddin’s header, again off a cross from Baddrol, missed the mark again in the 27^th minute. But in the 36^th minute, the Baddrol-Asraruddin connection finally hit the jackpot. Baddrol raced in on the right but was blocked by a defender, he however managed to pick up the rebound, slip past a defender and sent in a cross into the six-yard box. As the ball was low, Asraruddin went down on his knees to head in the cross, which squeezed past two defenders and goalkeeper.

Indonesia, with Patrich and Titus in front, shot back into attack but were unable to breach the tight Malaysian defence.

The action was intense after the break with both sides chasing the game. The Indoensian strikeforce did not relent but they were constantly cut off by the hardworking Malaysian defernders. The Malaysian attack, with only Thamil Arasu upfront, had their chances but failed to get through due to poor finishing.

In the 59^th minute, Patrich burst through but Khairul Fahmi was quick to close in on him and block the attempt. Patrich had the fans screaming in the 65^th minute after making his way in from the right only to see his shot hit the side-netting.

Indonesia made two changes Ferdinand Sinaga for Andik and Hendro Siswanto for Mahardiga Lasut in the 66^th and 71^st minutes. That fired up the attack somewhat as the players on the pitch were clearly tiring.  It was the same with the Malaysian players who also showed signs of slowing down.

With six minutes to go, Baddrol, off a freekick, unleashed a stinger but it was saved by Kurnia who did well to push it out. In the last minute, Oktovianus’ coner kick found Gunawan but he was unable to keep his shot down and add to his tally.

The first half of extratime saw Patrich being replaced by Ramdani Lestaluhu while Malaysia took out goal-scorer Asraruddin for Mohamad Fandi Othman. Titus had the best strike in the 103^rdminute but Khairul Fahmi saved the Malaysian goal.

In the final half of extratime, Titus also had the best chance but his header went just over the crossbar. In the very last moments of the game, the fans were on their feet when Ferdinand went down in the box. Referee Togo Minoru instead booked Ferdinand for diving.

TEAMS

MALAYSIA (Yellow/Black/Yellow): Khairul Fahmi Che Mat (GK), Mahali Jasuli, Mohamad Fadhli Mohd Shas, Mohd Asraruddin Omar (Mohamad Fandi Othman 99^th), Mohd Irfan Fazail, Baddrol Bakhtiar (cpt), Ahmad Fakri Saarani, Mohamad Muslim Ahmad, Mohd Zubir Mohd Azli, Thamil Arasu Ambumanee (Yong Kuong Yong 81^st), K. Gurusamy (Muhd Nazmi Faiz 78^th)

Head coach: Ong Kim Swee

Scorer: Mohd Asraruddin Omar (35^th)

Yellow cards: K. Gurusamy (10^th), Baddrol Bakhtiar (21^st), Ahmad Fakri (61^st), Yong Kuong Yong (113^th)

INDONESIA (Red/White/White): Kurnia Meiga, Mahardiga Lasut (Hendro Siswanto 71^st), Egi Melgiansyah, Oktovianus Maniani, Gunawan Dwi Cahyo, Hassim Kipuw, Andik Vermansyah (Ferdinand Sinaga 66^th), Diego Michels, Titus Bonai, Patricj Wanggai (Ramdani Lestaluhu 97^th), Abdul Rahman

Head coach: Rahmad Darmawan

Scorer: Gunawan Dwi Cahyo (5^th)

Yellow cards: Andik Vermansyah (34^th), Oktovianus Maniani (60^th), Gunawan Dwi Cahyo (95^th)¸ Ferdinand Sinaga (120^th)

REFEREE: Togo Minoru (Japan)

PENALTY SHOOTOUT

Indonesia

1. Titus Bonai – Goal (mid-level right)

2. Gunawan Dwi Cahyo – Miss (left, hit post)

3. Egi Melgiansyah – Goal (low left)

4. Abdul Rahman – Goal (down the centre)

5. Ferdinand Sinaga – Miss (left low, saved)

Malaysia

1. Mahali Jasuli – Goal (top right)

2. Fandi Othman – Goal (mid-level left)

3. Ahmad Fakri – Miss (right low, saved)

4. Mohamad Fadli Shas – Goal (top left)

5. Baddrol Bakhtiar – Goal (down centre, hit keeper and went in)

source:www.aseanfootball.org