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.