Malaysia U23 finally ended their long wait for a men’s football medal at the SEA Games after edging Philippines U23 2-1 in the Bronze Medal Match at the Rajamangala National Stadium, Bangkok.
The Philippines started brightly, pressing high and taking early control of possession as they searched for the opening goal. Malaysia, however, remained composed and gradually grew into the contest.
The breakthrough arrived in the 28th minute when Malaysia capitalised on a set-piece. Following a corner kick, Danish Hakimi reacted quickest inside the box, keeping the ball alive before squeezing a close-range effort past the near post to put Malaysia 1-0 ahead.
The Filipinos responded just 10 minutes later. A corner kick into the Malaysian penalty area caused confusion, and Haqimi Azim, in an attempt to clear, inadvertently diverted the ball into his own net to make it 1-1 in the 38th minute.
But Malaysia showed remarkable resilience. Just five minutes later, Haqimi Azim made amends in emphatic fashion. Launching a swift counter-attack in the 43rd minute, the attacker dribbled past goalkeeper Nicholas Guimaraes before calmly slotting the ball into the far corner, restoring Malaysia’s lead at 2-1.
Malaysia went into the break with renewed confidence and a slender advantage.
The second half saw the Philippines push numbers forward in search of an equaliser, but Malaysia’s defensive unit stood firm. The backline, well-organised and disciplined, absorbed pressure and denied clear scoring opportunities.
Despite late attempts from both sides, neither team was able to alter the scoreline, and the final whistle confirmed a 2-1 victory for Malaysia — and a long-awaited bronze medal.
This bronze medal carries added significance for Malaysian football. It represents Harimau Muda’s first SEA Games football medal in eight years, breaking a frustrating cycle of near misses and early exits.
Credit Photo : FAM
