SEA Games: Comedy own goal dampens Malaysia’s golden day

Thailand’s football team players celebrate after defeating Malaysia during their men’s football final match of the 29th Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) at Shah Alam Stadium, outside Kuala Lumpur on August 29, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / MANAN VATSYAYANA

Malaysian goalkeeper Haziq Nadzli scored a horrendous own goal to hand Thailand a 1-0 win in the Southeast Asian Games football final on Tuesday, puncturing the hosts’ celebrations as they finished top of the medals table.

In a moment that will haunt Haziq, the 19-year-old punched a corner into his own net on 39 minutes, silencing 80,000 fans at the cavernous Shah Alam Stadium.

It proved the game’s only goal and brought a tame end to another wildly successful day for Malaysia, who reached a record 140 gold medals to finish top of the table for the first time since 2001.

Haziq was the fall guy but the Thais were well worth their 1-0 half-time lead after Chenrop Samphaodi had curled a shot wide and Suriya Singhui saw a strong header saved by the goalkeeper.

Malaysia’s goalkeeper Muhammad Haziq bin Nadzli reacts after losing to Thailand during their men’s football final match of the 29th Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) at Shah Alam Stadium, outside Kuala Lumpur on August 29, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / MANAN VATSYAYANA

Thailand also had an early penalty shout turned down and just prior to the own goal, Phicha Au-Tra narrowly failed to connect with a cross which trickled across the face.

After the break, Worachit Kanitsribumphen was twice denied by last-ditch defending from the Malaysians, while Sasalak saw a menacing shot go wide.

Malaysia were restricted to the odd attempt from distance before Danial Amier fizzed one over on 69 minutes and Syazwan Andik went close with a curling shot 12 minutes from time.

The men’s football final was the last act of a bumper penultimate day, with 60 gold medals up for grabs and Malaysia taking 29 of them to reach an unbeatable 140 for the tournament.

Malaysia have amassed more than one-third of the 404 gold medals at the mini-Olympics, smashing their previous record of 111 and sealing top spot for the first time in 16 years.

Thailand trailed on 69 golds and Vietnam had 58, meaning the second and third-placed teams totaled less than Malaysia between them.