Malaysia beats RI in Tiger Cup final

Malaysia beats RI in Tiger Cup final

SINGAPORE (AFP): Malaysia showed it is already on the road to recovery after bribery scandal that rocked its soccer when it reached the Tiger Cup final by beating Indonesia 3-1 yesterday.

Thailand, as expected, joined Malaysia in the final thanks to three goals within the opening 24 minutes in its 4-2 win over Vietnam in the other semifinal.

K. Sanbagamaran scored his sixth of the tournament for Malaysia in the third minute when a slide-rule pass from Azman Adnan put him one-on-one with the goalkeeper before he slotted the ball into the bottom corner.

Adnan again provided the ammunition nine minute later when, following a patient build-up, he crossed for Rusdee Sulong to head unchallenged into the back of the net.

Indonesia pulled one back on the stroke of half-time when Azmil Azali put the ball into his own net after Peri Sandria's header had cannoned off the crossbar.

The goal kick-started an Indonesian revival but, for all its pressure, the Group A winner could not find a way through the tight Malaysian defense.

Indonesia's desperation in attack resulted in Malaysia's third -- scored by substitute Samsurin Rahman after Rizal Sukiman outpaced the defense to cross accurately.