Malaysia won the 41st edition of the Merdeka Tournament
by defeating Myanmar 2—0 at the Darulmakmur Stadium tonight.
The scoreline was not a reflection of Malaysia’s dominance as they
created many chances throught out the match but could not finish.
The win however was more satisfying given that the nation
celebrates Malaysia Day on Monday. And the fans created a terrific atmosphere,
refusing to budge from their seats despite the heavens opening up at halftime.
Malaysia last won the trophy in 2007. Despite making the final in
2008, the last time the Merdeka Tournament was staged, Malaysia lost 6-5 on
penalties to Vietnam.
Some 25,000 fans thronged the stadium to provide the encouragement
to the Malaysian team, with Ultras Malaya singing on the top of their voices throughout
the match.
In somewhat a strange strategy, coach Ong kim Swee opted to play
A. Tamil Arasu in a more defensive midfield role with Md Rozaimi Ab Rahman
acting as a lone striker with Wan Zack Haikal aiding him as a back up striker.
That gave Myanmar the upper hand in midfield as Kyi Lin, Kyaw
Zayar win and Kyaw ko Ko dominated the Malaysian central midfield of Junior
Edstal and Mohd Irfan Fazail.
Malaysia had a great opportunity to go ahead in the second minute
but A. Thamil Arasu somehow got the ball entangled in between his legs and the
opportunity was squandered.
With Myanmar playing a high defence, Malaysia opted to catch them
on the break and were nearly successful a couple of times. And off such and
situation, the ball fell to Junior Edlstal who however muffed the chance,
shooting wide from 15 meters with the Myanmar defence in disarray.
Malaysia made a tactical change, opting for a five-man midfield
after 20 minutes and it paid dividends.
In the 28th minute Malaysia took the lead. Wan Zack
Haikal broke through on the right and his attempt was only parried by Myanmar
keeper Pyaye Phyo Aungonto the path of Md Rozaimi Rahman who had the simplest
of tasks of tapping into goal, much to the joy of the fans.
Myanmar nearly drew level in the second minute of time added on as
Kyi Lin created space and let fly a shot that sailed dangerously close at the
far post.
Wan Zack could have doubled the lead in the 56th minute
after being put through by Thamil but his shot found the side netting.
Myanmar came close in the 60th minute with Kyaw Ko ko
shooting into the side netting after being put through by Kyi Lin.
Malaysia made their first substitution in the 63rd
minute, replacing goal scorer Rozaimi with S. Sivanesan, thus pushing Thamil
Arasu into a more attacking role.
And that gave Malaysia fresh impetus as they attacked relentlessly
with Thamil Arasu forcing keeper Phyo Aung to use his legs to thwart an attempt
in the 68th minute.
In the 75th minute, Irfan played a defence splitting
pass to Wan Zack, whose attempt was deflected out by David Htan. From the
ensuing corner Mohd Fadhli Shas rocked the bar with his header and Malaysia
were denied yet again by the woodwork.
And when Junior was put through three minutes into stoppage time,
he made sure that this time no woodwork will stand in between him as he sent a
delightful shot into the far corner, thus sealing the tile for Malaysia.
And when the final whistle went, the nation rejoiced at Kim Swee’s
boys showed that they have arrived on the big stage.
