It was a sad tale of two halves for Malaysia in the final, first leg of the AFF Cup at Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok yesterday.
Malaysia were brilliant in the first half but sloppy defending led to Thailand’s goals after the breather.
Malaysia will now have to go for goals in the return leg in Bukit Jalil on Saturday.
National coach Dollah Salleh said he was disappointed with his defence in the second half.
“We did not play as good as we did in the semi-final return leg in Hanoi,” said Dollah. “The penalty in the 71st minute spoiled everything for us. Our defence collapsed. We were disorientated.
“I admit it will be tough to overcome a 2-0 deficit in Kuala Lumpur but nothing is impossible in football.”
Thailand coach Kiatisuk Senamuang said the return leg in KL will not rattle his young players.
“Malaysia will change tactics and attack in the return leg. We need to be cautious as Malaysia have good strikers. It is not over yet and I expect an exciting game,” said Kiatisuk.
The coach said he knew Malaysia could not keep up the pace in the second half.
“We held back before the breather to allow Malaysia to attack. We punished them in the second half.”
Thailand played with pace upfront but were erratic defensively in the opening minutes.
Malaysia almost took advantage of some sloppy defending but Amri Yahyah’s header and Norshahrul Idlan Talaha’s drive in the 3rd and 6th minutes were blocked by Thailand goalkeeper Kawin Thamsatchanan.
Chanathip Songkrasin was Thailand’s heartbeat in midfield. His enterprising movements opened up play for Thailand on many occasions but his teammates could not make them count.
The hosts got their first clear chance in the 30th minute but Sarach Yooyen’s grounder was saved by Farizal Marlias before the Malaysian goalkeeper blocked a tame Kroekrit Thawikan free kick four minutes later.
In the 43rd minute, Malaysia centre-back Fadhli Shas almost made a mess of his defensive duties by wrongly directing his clearance to Thailand’s Adisak Kraisorn.
The striker raced into the penalty box but keeper Farizal covered his angle and blocked the shot.
In the second half, Thailand started well and caused Malaysia anxious moments.
Amri’s overzealous tackle on Narubadin Weerawatnodom saw him receive his second yellow card in the knockout stages in the 51st minute. The winger will now miss the return leg.
Thailand created numerous chances and were unlucky not to take the lead in the 54th and 55th minutes. Mongkol Thosakrai first volleyed over the crossbar before Adisak sent his the same direction.
The pressure, however, paid dividends when Thailand earned a penalty kick after Adisak was brought down in the box by Fadhli in the 71st minute. Charyl Chappuis made no mistake from the spot.
Kroekrit buried Malaysia with a second goal five minutes from time by connecting Chanathip’s low cross from the left.
Dollah maintained the same starting lineup that defeated Vietnam 4-2 in last week’s semi-final, return leg in Hanoi while Kiatisuk fielded nine players from his Incheon Asian Games squad.
Page 1 caption: Two Malaysian fans reacting in disappointment after watching the national team go down 2-0 to Thailand in the AFF Cup final, first leg in Bangkok yesterday. They were among the supporters attending the Hot FM football viewing party at Restoran Gulam Mee in Kuala Lumpur.