KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia have won their second Under-19 (U-19) Asean Football Federation Championship in four years after beating Laos 2-0 in the final in Bekasi, Indonesia last night.
Their victory at Patriot Candrabhaga Stadium also avenges their defeat in the final Group B match at the hands of Laos last Monday.
Malaysia began well in yesterday’s final, taking the lead through Muhammad Faiz Amer Runnizar in the 14th minute.
Laos were stung into action, but their aggressive play almost backfired in the 36th minute through a miss by Malaysian striker Adam Farhan Mohd Faizal. Laos continuously threatened Malaysia with a series of attempts but failed to find the net.
Malaysia meanwhile steadily absorbed the pressure, and their discipline was repaid when they went 2-0 ahead in the 76th minute, with midfielder Muhammad Aliff Izwan Yuslan scoring off a lob shot from teammate Muhammad Alif Farhan Fauzi.
Malaysia once again displayed fine discipline by defending their lead till the final whistle, and brought their championship campaign to a spectacular close.
The U-19 national squad have the best record in the last three editions of the championship, having won the 2018 edition, as well as coming in second in 2017 and 2019. – Bernama, July 16, 2022
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