Faisal nabs winner on birthday to hand Malaysia AFF Cup semi-final first-leg lead over Thailand

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia will take a 1-0 lead going into the second leg of their ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Mitsubishi Electric Cup against Thailand in Bangkok on Tuesday after Faisal Halim’s early strike earned Kim Pan-gon’s side victory in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday (Jan 7).

The 2010 AFF champions could have had a greater advantage had South Korean referee Kim Dae-yong not disallowed a second goal for the home side 10 minutes into the second half when Dominic Tan’s header was ruled out.

Kim initially awarded the goal after Tan had met Lee Tuck’s lofted free kick into the area, only to rule there had been an infringement leading up to the goal.

Television replays showed there had been no illegal contact but with the video assistant referee (VAR) not in use in the competition, Kim’s on-field decision stood, incensing the home side.

The Malaysians had gone in front in the 11th minute when Faisal celebrated his 25th birthday by scuffing his volley through the legs of Thailand goalkeeper Kittipong Phoothawchuek after Ruventhiran Vengadesan had knocked down a header into his path.

But a minute into the second half, Thailand forward Teerasil Dangda almost pulled his side level when he glanced his header against the base of the post before Tan’s 55th-minute header was controversially disallowed.

The winner next Tuesday will take on either Indonesia or Vietnam in the final, which will be played over two legs on Jan 13 and 16.

The first leg between Indonesia and Vietnam ended in a 0-0 draw on Friday and they will meet again in Hanoi next Monday.