Malaysia hold Thailand to a 1-1 draw

It was certainly one of their best performances throughout the AFF Cup but national coach Datuk K.Rajagobal admitted his lads face an uphill task when they play Thailand in the return leg semi final in Bangkok this Thursday.

Malaysia managed to hold Thailand to a 1-1 draw in the first leg encounter at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil on Sunday.

Despite the draw, Malaysia needs to maintain a goal lead in their next match due to the away goal ruling or they defending champions could be staring at a pre-mature exit.

“It was the best match we’ve played,” admitted Rajagobal.

“Honestly, we deserved a 3-1 win but I can’t ask for more. We didn’t start with the core players but the boys played a good match.”

“I know it will be a tough match in Thailand and it can go any way. The critics thought Thailand would have defeated us at Bukit Jalil but that didn’t happen. This is football.”

It was a gritty first half where both teams were tied to a goalless draw as they headed to the dressing room for the interval. The Harimau Malaya put up a stronger performance in the opening minutes of the second half and obtained their first goal through newly-signed Darul Takzim FC striker Norshahrul Idlan Talaha in the 48th minute.

The Thais desperately tried to penetrate into the Malaysian fort but it was only in the 78th minute the visitors obtained their equaliser through Teerasil Dangda’s header that silenced the crowd.

Thailand coach Winfried Anton Schafer was sent off by Iranian referee Torki Mohsen Ramezanali in the later part of the match. The German will not be allowed to coach the team from the sidelines during the return leg in Bangkok.

“I was talking to my players and suddenly the referee asked me to leave. I don’t want to talk more,” said Schafer.

“We didn’t play well. Malaysia was a difficult team but after they led 1-0 we played better football and the draw was fantastic.”

Schafer admitted his lads made many mistakes and the strong support from the stands by the Malaysian fans worked against his team.

“It’s not easy playing in front of an 80,000 crowd who are against you. I know the team (Malaysia) and it is not easy. Now we play in Bangkok and we see (the outcome).”