Going all out: Malaysia’s Mukhairi Ajmal Mahadi (right) vying for the ball with Singapore’s Irfan Fandi during their AFF Mitsubishi Cup Group B match at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil. — GLENN GUAN/The Star
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia are through to the AFF Mitsubishi Cup semi-finals, and they did so in style in front of their home fans.
The Harimau Malaya humbled Causeway rivals Singapore 4-1 in their final Group B match at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil yesterday.
Stuart Wilkin starred by scoring a double in the 50th and 55th minutes while Darren Lok got the first goal in the 35th minute. The fourth goal came via Sergio Aguero in the 86th minute.
Malaysia started strongly and created their first chance in the eighth minute when Safawi Rasid found Faisal Halim with a through pass but the winger couldn’t make the most of it as Singapore goalkeeper Hassan Sunny read the pass quickly to intercept. The rebound fell to V. Ruventhiran, but his shot was blocked by Hassan.
Faisal continued to torment the Lions when his header in the 15th minute went inches off the bar and a minute later, he saw his stinging shot saved by Hassan.
Malaysia finally got the lead they deserve in the 35th minute when Safawi’s cross from the right flank was met by Darren, who beat Hassan with a superb glancing header.
Singapore then brought on winger Shawal Anuar for Shah Shahiran in a tactical tweak.
But it was Malaysia who showed better guile and aggression.
That approach got them the second goal in the 50th minute when midfielder Stuart Wilkin unleashed a stinging shot from 25m to beat a sprawling Hassan.
And Wilkin didn’t stop there. In the 55th minute, the 24-year-old received a pass from Safawi, cleverly turned a defender before unleashing an unstoppable shot to give Malaysia a comfortable 3-0 lead.
Singapore reduced the deficit in the 84th minute when substitute Faris Ramli finished off an Any Recha pass.
But substitute Sergio Aguero sealed the tie for the hosts with a beautiful curling finish from outside the box in the 86th minute.
With the win, Malaysia finished second in Group B with nine points while Vietnam topped it with 10.
Malaysia face Thailand in the two-legged semi-final, starting at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil on Jan 7.
