Sport News

Malaysia defends football gold

Posted : 22 Nov 2011 11:24:54

Jakarta (UR): Malaysia’s triumph on the football pitch at the 26^th SEA Games means Indonesia’s 20-year wait for gold in the sport continues.

Malaysia defend its supremacy over the most popular sport in the region and also shattered Indonesia’s dream of adding a much-coveted football gold to its success in regaining the overall championship of the Games.

At a packed Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta on Monday night, the Malay Tiger tamed Young Garuda 4-3 in a penalty shootout after the two tied 1-1 after regular and extra time.

Indonesia’s Gunawan Dwi Cahyo and Ferdinan Sinaga missed their penalties, while Malaysia’s Saarani Ahmad Muslim missed his spot kick.

After the shootout, the Indonesian contingent was visibly dejected while the Malaysians celebrated, as they had not only successfully defended the gold medal they won in Laos two years ago, but had repeated the senior side’s success in defeating Indonesia at home.

Despite the defeat and fears of violence, the thousands of home supporters remained calm and quietly snuck out of the stadium as the medal presentation ceremony took place on the pitch.

The match, the second between the two sides at the Games, went the full a90 minutes and beyond after a 1-1 tie in normal time.

Gunawan Dwi Cahyo put Indonesia in the lead after he headed a cross from a corner in the fifth minute, but Malaysia leveled through Omar Mohd Asrarudin in the 34^th minute.

In extra time, Indonesian captain Egi Melgiansyah and his teammates had visibly eased off the gas, handing Malaysia the chance to put pressure on the host.

Early in extra time, Ferdinan Sinaga seemingly scored, but was judged offside.

Egi had another chance at goal in the 103^rd minute, but his shot from outside the penalty area was effectively blocked, while Titus Bonai’s late shot veered over the bar.

Malaysia created its own chances but neither team managed to score. UR-3