Malaysia wins AFF Suzuki Cup

Celebrations at Dataran Merdeka. Pix by Effendy Rashid

Malaysia has won the 2010 AFF Suzuki Cup on a 4-2 aggregate after losing to Indonesia 2-1 in the second leg of the final here tonight. Malaysia won the first leg 3-0.Indonesia piled on the pressure from the start and earned a penalty in the first half when a Malaysian defender hand-balled in the penalty box, but a brilliant save from keeper Khairul Fahmi denied the Indonesians the lead.

Mohd Safee Sali put Malaysia ahead in the 52nd minute after a score-less first half, while Indonesia's Mohammad Sasufa equalised to bring the game level.

Ridwan scored in the 87th minute to put Indonesia in the lead 2-1, but as the final whistle blew, it was not enough to offset Malaysia's 3-0 advantage going into the second leg of the final.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak via his Twitter account congratulated the national team.

“Well done, Malaysian Tigers! You played well as a team and have made your country very proud. Congratulations!” he said.

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin also hailed the team, saying the victory showed that nothing was impossible if one truly wanted to win.

“Every effort, sweat and sacrifice of each player, their coach and officers contribute to the triumph,” he said in a statement.

“I urge the players to continue maintaining the highest performance so that Malaysia can hold its head high in the international arena,” he said.

The relentless leadership and efforts of Sultan Pahang Sultan Ahmad Shah in the development of Malaysian football should be admired, said the deputy prime minister.

Muhyiddin even praised the strong support of the people towards the Malaysian football team.

“Such an aspiration is needed to spur the player in winning more future matches,” he said.