PETALING JAYA: Malaysia staged a fight-back to beat the Philippines 2-1 to reach the Merdeka Tournament football final at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil tonight (Wednesday).
World No. 134 Malaysia were expected to steamroll past the ill-prepared No. 147th ranked Filipino side but interim national coach Pau Marti Vicente was made to sweat before starting his tenure with a win.
With the victory, Malaysia will face world No. 113 Lebanon, who overcame defending champions Tajikistan 1-0 earlier, in the final this Sunday.
Both teams were sluggish in the opening 20 minutes before Philippines broke the deadlock.
A long range attempt from Jefferson Tabinas was deflected into an own goal by Feroz Baharuddin in the 27th minute.
The goal woke up Harimau Malaya but the forwards struggled to breach the stubborn Filipino defence.
Malaysia finally got their equaliser through Syamer Kutty Abba in the 42nd minute.
After the break, Malaysia took the lead through a spot-kick after defender Matthew Baldisimo brought down Arif Aiman Hanapi inside the box, prompting Indonesian referee Yudi Nurchaya to point to the spot.
Safawi calmly slotted the penalty past Filipino keeper Neil Etheridge in the 72nd minute.
Malaysia have emerged as champion 12 times but have not lifted the Merdeka Tournament trophy since 2013.
