SHAH ALAM: Malaysia are champions of the Merdeka Tournament again after a lapse of 14 years.
In an exciting final of the 39th edition of the tournament played in
front of 40,000 fans at the Shah Alam Stadium last night, Malaysia
defeated defending champions Myanmar 3-1. It was the 11th time that
Malaysia won the title in the series.
Myanmar had no answer to a spirited Malaysia and conceded goals to Mohd
Zaquan Adha and Safee Sali in the 12th and 60th minute respectively.
And Aung Myo Thant put the ball into his own net in the 56th.
Substitute Tun Tun Win pulled a goal back for Myanmar in the 73rd
minute. The match also saw Myanmar reduced to 10 men with the sacking
of Kyaw Khing Win in the 87th minute.
The victory for the national Under-23 boys preparing for the Korat SEA
Games in December was sweet revenge for the 1-2 defeat by Myanmar in
the group stage.
Malaysia started without influential skipper Mohd Shukor Adan, who was
down with a groin injury, leaving only one senior player in the side –
centreback Norhafiz Zamani Misbah.