BANGKOK: Malaysia put up a valiant fight but fell short against hosts Thailand, losing 1-0 in the SEA Games Under-23 football semi-finals at the Rajamangala Stadium on Monday (Dec 15).
The home side took the lead as early as the eighth minute when striker Yotsakorn Burapha curled in a freekick from the left edge of the penalty box to beat goalkeeper Zulhilmi Shaarani.
Malaysia had to play with 10-men when fullback Aiman Yusoff Mohd Nabil was sent off after receiving two yellow cards from referee Rustav Lutfullin.
The first came in the eighth minute and eight minutes later, he got his second yellow.
Despite playing one man less, Harimau Muda showed fight and resilience and could have equalised, but three of their chances were saved by Thai goalkeeper Phosaman Sorawat.
Even in the second half, Malaysia were the side with the better edge, creating chances from counters and set-pieces, but the Thai defence were resolute.
Burapha could have further piled on the misery when he beat two defenders in the box in the 69th minute, but he scuffed his shot by putting it wide and a minute later, his header off a cross was superbly saved by Zulhilmi.
In the other semi-final game, Vietnam beat the Philippines 2-0.
Malaysia will take on the Philippines in the bronze-medal at the Rajamangala Stadium on Thursday (Dec 18).
