Malaysia hold defending champs Thai to goalless draw

Going all out: Malaysia’s Norshahrul Idlan Talaha (left) vying for the ball with Thailand’s Mika Chunonsee during the first leg of the AFF Suzuki Cup semi-final at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil yesterday. — MUHAMAD SHAHRIL ROSLI/The Star

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia kept their unbeaten record against neighbours Thailand after holding the defending champions to a goalless draw in the first leg of the AFF Suzuki Cup semi-final at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil.

The Harimau Malaya have not lost to Thailand at home in 47 years and the Thais’ only win on the Malaysian soil was at the 1971 Merdeka Tournament where they won 2-0.