Malaysia pulled off a comeback to draw 2-2 with Vietnam in the first leg of the 2018 AFF Suzuki Cup final at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium on Tuesday.
Vietnam stunned the home crowd when they struck twice in a three-minute blitz through Nguyen Huy Hung (22nd minute) and Pham Duc Huy (25th).
Shahrul Saad reduced the deficit in the 37th minute before Safawi Rasid levelled the tie with a glorious free-kick in the 60th minute.
There’s still a lot to do in the return leg, to be held in at the My Dinh Stadium in Hanoi on Saturday, but no one said it would be easy.
Of course, Malaysia made it difficult for themselves, despite the vociferous support of a packed stadium.
In a bid to avenge their 2-0 loss to Vietnam in the group stage and their haste to get an early goal, the Harimau Malaya were punished.
Vietnam broke up an attack launched by Safawi in the 22nd minute and lobbed the ball high into Malaysia's box, which Amirul Azhan Aznan failed to control and fell to Nguyen to make it 1-0.
Three minutes later the packed stadium was silenced a second time when a Pham Duc Huy piledriver from outside the box beat Farizal.
Stunned into action, Malaysia began to retaliate and showed their mettle in the 37th minute off a well-worked free-kick set-piece.
Syamer Kutty Abba floated in a cross for Shahrul, running in unmarked, to head home from close range.
The second half saw Cheng Hoe shake things up, taking out Amirul for Syafiq Ahmad to add more bite to the attack.
After several close calls on either side, came the break Malaysia had been working hard to find when Safawi was clattered just outside the box in the 60th minute and Harimau Malaya were awarded a free-kick.
Safawi dusted himself and took the free-kick himself, curling the ball beyond the reach of Vietnam goalkeeper Dang Van Lam.
Cheng Hoe then threw on Akhyar Rashid to replace Norshahrul Idlan Talaha as his men went looking for the third goal, but it proved in vain.
Now, Malaysia have it all to do again on Saturday as they seek to lift the trophy for only the second time since 2010.
Bernama
Wed Dec 12 2018
World number one Swiatek sees off Xiyu in Madrid opener
Iga Swiatek had few issues overcoming Wang Xiyu in straight sets as the world number one kick-started her Madrid Open campaign in style.
Foden matches Messi and Haaland feat with 50th league goal under Guardiola
Phil Foden scored his 50th Premier League goal to help Manchester City take a 3-0 half-time lead against Brighton on Thursday.
Nadal cruises past teen Blanch to tee up De Minaur rematch in Madrid
Rafael Nadal swatted aside teenager qualifier Darwin Blanch as the 22-time major winner progressed to the second round of the Madrid Open.
Bellingham alone won't win Euros for England - Desailly
Jude Bellingham has been in sensational form for Real Madrid this season and is expected to play a big part for England at Euro 2024.
Austin FC v LA Galaxy: 'I'm happy with where we're at' – Vanney
MLS Western Conference leaders LA Galaxy head to Austin FC on Saturday, with Greg Vanney content with where his team find themselves.
Courtois set to return from injury after long absence
Thibaut Courtois is set to return from injury in the coming days, Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed.
'There are no gimmies' – Dyche warns Everton not to step off the pedal
Sean Dyche has urged his Everton team not to ease off as they aim to secure their Premier League survival when they take on Brentford.
Xavi 'convinced' Barcelona U-turn is right decision
Xavi: The project is not finished
FC Dallas v Houston Dynamo: Arriola says hosts must pay supporters back
Struggling FC Dallas host the Houston Dynamo in a huge Texas derby this weekend.
New England Revolution v Inter Miami: Porter targets 'mini season' as Messi comes to town
Lionel Messi and Inter Miami take on the Eastern Conference's bottom team, the New England Revolution, on Saturday.