Thailand Lift AFF Suzuki Cup

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 22 (Bernama) -- Thailand have assured their crown as Southeast Asia's football king remained in their hands after emerging champions of the 2014 AFF Suzuki Cup with a 4-3 aggregate win over Malaysia in the second leg final at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil here Saturday night. Despite losing 2-3 in the match tonight, the Thai squad under coach Kiatisuk Senamuang were crowned champions following their first leg 2-0 win advantage at the Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok on Wednesday. For the record, Thailand defeated Malaysia 3-2 in a Group B match in the preliminary round at Jalan Besar Stadium in Singapore on Nov 26. The success saw the Thais lifting their fourth title after being champions in 1996, 2000 and 2002. The loss suffered by Harimau Malaya was the second to Thailand in the final after losing 0-1 in the maiden championship in 1996 in Singapore when it was known as the Tiger Cup. In the pulsating final, Malaysia, backed up by more 90,000 fans including hardcore supporters Ultras Malaya, went on the attack as soon as Iranian referee Faghani Alireza Mohammad blew the starting whistle. The effort paid immediate dividends as Faghani awarded a penalty to Malaysia in the 6th minute when striker Norshahrul Idlan Talaha was brought down in the box. Midfield maestro Safiq Rahim cooly slotted the ball past Thai keeper, Kawin Thamsatchanan, which sent the home crowd in a frenzy of delight more so with Prime Minister Najib Razak and Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin among the biggest fans present. The "War Elephants" however stepped up the game after that and managed to even up play by mounting continuous attacks through their combination of winger Thawikan Kroekrit and midfielder Chanathip Songkrasin but the Malaysian defence headed by Muhammad Shukor Adan soaked up the pressure The stadium reverberated again when Indra Putra Mahayuddin headed in Malaysia's second goal from a cross supplied by Norshahrul in injury time in the first half to put Malaysia in a much more comfortable position for the second half. On resumption, Harimau Malaya coached by Dollah Salleh continued with their attacks resulting in Safiq netting himself a braze when his beauty of a spot kick in the 58th minute sailed past Kawin into the net. However, the War Elephants regrouped after that and went on the offensive but took them till the 81st minute to find their first goal which was netted by their Switzerland-born striker Charyl Yannic Chappuis. The goal came after a spot kick from outside the box taken by Kroekrit was parried away by Malaysian keeper Mohd Farizal Marlias into the path of Chappuis. Thailand sealed victory when Chanathip fired home a cracker in the 88th minute. This is the fourth time Thailand emerged champions after 1996, 2000 and 2002. As champions, Thailand took home US$200,000 (RM696,974) and the AFF Cup. However, all was not lost for Malaysia as Safiq won the top scorer award for his six goals in the prestigious tournament. (PhotoBernama) -- BERNAMA