Addie’s sudden-death goal gives Malaysia the Bowl title

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia gained consolation in the KL World Futsal (five-a-side) tournament, beating Indonesia 5-4 with a golden goal to win the Bowl Cup at the Putra Stadium in Bukit Jalil here yesterday. 

Addie Azwan Zainal turned hero, latching on to a pass by Mohamed Feroz to score the winner 24 seconds into extra time. 

The success in the Bowl Division of the championships, involving the last-place teams of the preliminary groups, was worth US$10,000 (RM38,000). The Indonesians pocketed US$5,000 (RM19,000). 

JUST AS HAPPY: The Malaysian futsal team pose for the camera with the prize for winning the Bowl title after edging out Indonesia 5-4.

In the preliminary Group C round, Malaysia were beaten by Uruguay (3-5) and Guatemala (2-5). And they set up the Bowl final match against Indonesia with a 4-2 win over South Africa. 

Coach Sivio Machado said that the performance in the tournament showed that Malaysian players were getting used to playing the game at a high level. 

“We need to get a futsal league going and there’s so much work to be done,” said the Brazilian, who was hired by the FA of Malaysia (FAM) six months ago. 

Indonesia made two quick strikes in a period of 20 seconds in the third minute. 

Achmad Ramdhani fired a stiff grounder from an acute angle and the ball deflected off Malaysia's Jamhuri Zainuddin into goal.  

Soon after the Malaysian were jolted again when Akbar Mallarangan nodded in the second goal for the Indonesians. 

The Malaysians struck back and heavy pounding on the Indonesians brought a goal in the 11th minute through Zainodin Kasmidim. 

The Malaysians nearly drew level when Addie's strike before the break came off the post, much to the disappointment of the 3,000 fans. 

Malaysia kept the pressure on the Indonesians in the second half and Chiew Chun Yong levelled the the score in the 25th minute with a shot that caught goalkeeper Listiyanto Raharjo by surprise. 

The goal fired up the Malaysians even more and they were in front four minutes later with a goal by Mohamed Saiful Noor. 

Indonesia took charge again and got back in front with goals by Andrian Asuri in the 30th and Andri Irawan in the 34th minute. 

Two minutes from time skipper Mohamed Faizul got the goal that sent the match into extra time and Addie rose to the occasion to provide the golden goal.