Striker N. Thanabalan’s late header four minutes to the end gave Malaysia a close 1-0 win over Indonesia in the second semi-final of the men’s football event tonight at the Shah Alam Stadium.
With Thailand already booking their place in the final of the meet for the third time in a row after beating Myanmar by the same score line earlier, the victory for the home team saw them making only their first final after five years.
Malaysia had failed to make the cut for the semi-finals in 2013 (Myanmar) and also the 2015 (Singapore) editions of the SEA Games.
In front of more than 80,000 fans, both teams were in offensive mode with Malaysia coming close on several occasions while Indonesia also had their fair share of chances despite missing captain Hansamu Yama Pranata, Muhammad Hargianto and also Marinus Mariyanto who were suspended.
But while the game seem certain to head into extra-time, Thanabalan nodded home a corner to put the Malaysians into the final.
