Chuck Kuhn's Asia in Photos: Defending champs Malaysia fall to Vietnam in shoot-out

Saturday, October 25, 2008

Defending champs Malaysia fall to Vietnam in shoot-out

KUALA LUMPUR: Free-scoring Malaysia could only fire blanks against Vietnam in the final of the 40th Merdeka Tournament at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil yesterday.
And, in the end, it was Vietnam who came out victorious, beating Malaysia 6-5 in sudden-death penalty shoot-out after both teams were tied 0-0 after extra-time.
In the penalty shoot-out, Malaysia and Vietnam duly converted all five mandatory kicks, forcing the match into sudden-death.
Up stepped Malaysia’s Norhafiz Zamani Misbah, whose attempt was well saved by Vietnam goalkeeper Bui Tan Truong.
Mai Tien Thanh turned hero for Vietnam when he converted his kick to end Malaysia’s reign as defending champions.
Malaysia, under coach B. Sathianathan had stormed into the final in style €” winning all four matches by scoring the most number of goals (18) and conceding none.
Vietnam, on the other hand, had to come from behind twice to beat Sierra Leone 3-2 in penalty shoot-out in the semi-final on Thursday.
Malaysia started as the favourites against the relatively young Vietnamese side, who were represented by their Under-23 players. But Vietnam managed to hold their own with a defensive approach, using only two men upfront largely throughout the match.
Although Malaysia dominated the proceedings, they failed to create many clear cut chances.
The twin strikeforce of Safee Sali and Indra Putra Mahayuddin, had plundered in nine out of the 18 goals Malaysia chalked up en route to the final, but they came up short when it mattered most, much to the chagrin of the estimated 25,000 fans.
Malaysia: Mohd Helmi Elias, Norhafiz Zamani Misbah, Mohd Zaquan Radzak (Hairuddin Omar), Mohd Zafuan Radzak, Mohd Safee Sali, Muhd Shukor Adan, Indra Putra Mahayuddin, Mohd Daudsu Jamaluddin (Mohd Khyril Muhymeen Zambri), Mohd Hardy Jaafar, Irwan Fadhli Idrus, Amirulhadi Zainal (Mohd Ashaari Samsuddin).
Vietnam: Bui Tan Truong, Nguyon Thanh Long Giang, Pham Minh Duc, Nguyen Tang Tuan (Trinh Quang Vinh), Hoang Nhat Nam (Nguyen Duc Thien), Hoang Dinh Tung, Houng Danh Ngoc, Le Van Duyet, Mai Xuan Hop, Nguyen Cong Huy, Phan Thanh Binh (Mai Tien Thanh).

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They say "

“I can’t say what made me fall in love with Vietnam - that a woman’s voice can drug you; that everything is so intense. The colors, the taste, even the rain. Nothing like the filthy rain in London. They say whatever you’re looking for, you will find here. They say you come to Vietnam and you understand a lot in a few minutes, but the rest has got to be lived. The smell: that’s the first thing that hits you, promising everything in exchange for your soul. And the heat. Your shirt is straightaway a rag. You can hardly remember your name, or what you came to escape from. But at night, there’s a breeze. The river is beautiful. You could be forgiven for thinking there was no war; that the gunshots were fireworks; that only pleasure matters. A pipe of opium, or the touch of a girl who might tell you she loves you. And then, something happens, as you knew it would. And nothing can ever be the same again.”
― Graham Greene, The Quiet American

Tips on Travel to Vietnam

It's always warm in Southeast Asia apart from high mountains, so leave the heavy clothing at home. Cotton and breathable fabrics are always better than synthetics -- although cotton does wrinkle a lot when traveling! December through April is roughly the dry season in that region, although it can still rain a little. December is a good time to go in terms of temperature -- cooler than in the humid summertime. Either way, wearing more clothing (shirt sleeves and long pants) is always more respectful towards the Asian culture, especially when visiting temples and rural areas.