Thailand come back from the dead to win the Suzuki Cup

Reporter

Dec 20, 2014 10:26 pm

MALAYSIA 3
(Safiq Rahim 7-pen, 58, Indra Putra Mahayuddin 45+2)

THAILAND 2
(Charyl Chappuis 82, Chanathip Songkrasin 87)

*Thailand win 4-3 on aggregate

Late goals from Charyl Chappuis and Chanathip Songkrasin won Thailand the Suzuki Cup as they recorded a 4-3 aggregate win over Malaysia.

Despite holding an imposing 2-0 lead from Wednesday's first-leg tie in Bangkok, Kiatisuk Senamuang's side were second best for most of the match at the Bukit Jalil Stadium on Saturday.

Malaysia halved the aggregate deficit after just seven minutes when they were awarded a dubious penalty.

Nguyen Quang Hai, 25, having recently signed for French Ligue 2 side Pau FC, will spearhead Vietnam's charge for a third AFF Cup title.

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Tigers striker Norshahrul Talaha looked to have tripped Thailand defender Suttinun Phukhom in the visitors' penalty area but Iranian referee Alireza Faghani bizarrely awarded Malaysia a penalty, which Safiq Rahim stepped up to dispatch.

Dollah Salleh's side then negated the first-leg result on the stroke of half-time when Indra Putra Mahayuddin nodded home S Kunalan's cross.

Malaysia then temporarily found themselves in dream land when Safiq's superb free-kick landed in the back of the net giving Thai goalkeeper Kawin Thamsatchanan no chance despite diving the right way.

However, they were then brought down to earth eight minutes from time when the War Elephants went ahead on away goals as Swiss-born midfielder Chappuis tapped home the rebound after Malaysia goalkeeper Farizal Marlias saved Sarach Yooyen's rasping free-kick.

Chanathip, the player nicknamed "Messi Jay" who was later crowned the tournament's Most Valuable Player, then put the result beyond doubt in the 87th minute with an unerring screamer from outside the box that nestled in the top corner.

Thailand have now equalled Singapore's record of four Asean titles while Kiatisuk is now the only person to have won an AFF Championship as both a player and a coach.

While Malaysia failed to add to their sole triumph of 2010, there was some solace for Safiq as he ended the tournament as top scorer with six strikes.