INDONESIA’S hopes of honouring their Independence Day were dashed when they were edged 4-3 by a spirited Malaysia after extra time in the semi-finals of the AFF Under-18 Championship at the Go Dau Stadium in Vietnam yesterday.
The teams were tied at 3-3 after 90 minutes.
Midfielders Mukhairi Ajmal Mahadi and Azam Azmi Murad, who returned after serving one-match suspensions, added stability in the middle of the park, marshaled by Harith Haiqal Adam Afkar while Luqman Hakim Shamsudin played in attack.
Brad Maloney, however, opted to rest top-choice goalkeeper Firdaus Irman Fadhil, giving Sikh Izhan Nazrel Sikh Azman the job between the posts.
Ajmal was instrumental in Malaysia’s opening goal when his set piece, which deflected off an Indonesia defender, sailed into the path of Aiman Afif Afizul who connected from close range in the 18th minute.
Two minutes later, Azam had only Indonesia goalkeeper Emando Ari Sutaryadi to beat but his attempt struck the right post.
Despite Malaysia’s dominance, Indonesia equalised through Beckham Putra Nugraha just before half-time.
After the breather, Luqman regained Malaysia’s lead with his fourth goal of the tournament in the 55th minute.
However, an unperturbed Indonesia fought back gallantly and took the lead through two quick goals from Fajar Fathur Rachman (80th) and Salman Alfarid (83rd).
Malaysia kept their cool and earned a penalty kick in the 85th minute when Muslihuddin Atiq Mat Zahid was brought down in the Indonesian box.
Harith stepped up and scored from the spot to send the match into extra time.
In the 99th minute, Harith headed in Mukhairi’s free kick to earn the defending champions a spot in the final.
Malaysia will play either Australia or Myanmar in tomorrow’s final.