Kegemilangan Harimau Malaya di Piala Suzuki AFF 2010
Pada tahun 2010, Harimau Malaya mencipta sejarah apabila mereka menjulang Piala AFF buat kali pertama. Ia juga merupakan kali pertama mereka ke pusingan akhir sejak edisi sulung kejohanan AFF pada tahun 1996, di mana pasukan kebangsaan menyaksikan Thailand membawa pulang trofi yang diidamkan.
Malaysia menonjolkan prestasi yang membanggakan dengan bimbingan jurulatih Datuk K. Rajagobal. Pasukan B-23 yang di bawah kendalian beliau baru sahaja memenangi pingat emas Sukan SEA 2009 yang pertama mereka. Pasukan tersebut terdiri daripada pemain-pemain yang diserapkan ke pasukan senior apabila tiba masanya Piala Suzuki AFF 2010.
Pada peringkat kumpulan, Malaysia diletakkan dalam Kumpulan A bersama Thailand, Laos dan tuan rumah Indonesia. Mereka berdepan dengan cabaran besar bagi perlawanan pembukaan iaitu menentang Indonesia di atas padang tuan rumah dan berdepan dengan sorakan 62,000 penyokong.
Persembahan awal yang meyakinkan daripada Norshahrul Idlan memberikan Malaysia gol pertama mereka pada minit ke-18. Namun, ia juga merupakan gol mereka yang terakhir. Empat minit kemudian, pemain pertahanan Asraruddin Putra Omar menghadiahkan gol setelah tendangan rendahnya dengan tidak sengaja meletakkan bola ke dalam gawang sendiri. Setelah itu Indonesia berjaya meneruskan perjuangan untuk menang 5–1 apabila wisel penamat dibunyikan.
Seterusnya, Malaysia seri 0-0 dengan Thailand. Bermula dengan perlawanan tersebut, Khairul Fahmi menggantikan Sharbinee Alawee sebagai penjaga gol utama. Malaysia kemudian berjaya mengalahkan Laos 5-1 menerusi gol-gol daripada Amri Yahyah (2), Amirul Hadi, Mahali Jasuli dan Norshahrul Idlan. Dengan kejayaan ini, Harimau Malaya membuktikan kepada semua yang mereka layak ke peringkat separuh akhir.
Menunggu mereka di sana ialah pemenang Kumpulan B iaitu pasukan Vietnam. Malaysia tentunya mengambil kesempatan semasa perlawanan pertama berlangsung di Stadium Nasional Bukit Jalil dan berjaya menewaskan Vietnam 2–0. Kedua-dua gol dijaringkan oleh Safee Sali pada minit ke-60 dan ke-79. Pasukan kebangsaan akhirnya menang dengan agregat 2–0 selepas perlawanan kedua berkesudahan seri tanpa jaringan di Vietnam.
Pusingan pertama perlawanan akhir antara Malaysia dan Indonesia menyebabkan penonton tergamam. Walaupun kedua-dua pasukan mengawasi kubu pertahanan masing-masing, Safee Sali berjaya menjaringkan gol yang pertama pada minit ke-61 dan ini mencetuskan semangat pasukan Malaysia. Ia diikuti dengan gol oleh Ashaari Samsudin tujuh minit kemudian, sebelum Safee menyumbat gol yang ketiga lapan minit sebelum perlawanan berakhir. Malaysia menang 3-0.
Walaupun mendahului 3-0, Harimau Malaya merasakan tekanan apabila mereka kembali ke Jakarta untuk perlawanan akhir kedua. Safee Sali memberikan Malaysia gol pertama pada minit ke-54, menambahkan jurang jaringan yang selesa lagi. Indonesia berjaya menghasilkan dua gol dan menang 2-1 pada malam itu. Bagaimanapun, kemenangan milik Malaysia apabila mereka menjulang Piala AFF buat kali pertama dengan agregat 4-2.
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Harimau Malaya made history in 2010, when they lifted up the AFF Suzuki Cup for the first time. It was also their first time in the finals since the inaugural edition in 1996, where they saw Thailand bring the trophy home.
Malaysia was in good form under Coach K. Rajagobal, having just won the 2009 SEA Games gold medal. The U-23 team who won their first SEA Games title consisted of players who graduated into the senior team when the AFF Suzuki Cup rolled around.
In the group stage, Malaysia was placed in Group A with Thailand, Laos and hosts Indonesia. Malaysia was faced with a big challenge for the opening match, taking on Indonesia at their home stadium with 62,000 fans in attendance.
An early confident move from Norshahrul Idlan led Malaysia to their first goal in the 18th minute, but it would also be their last. Four minutes later, defender Asraruddin Putra Omar gave Indonesia their equaliser after an accidental low shot into his own net. Indonesia went on to win 5–1 when the final whistle blew.
After a change of goalkeepers with Khairul Fahmi starting in Sharbinee Alawee’s place, Malaysia drew 0–0 against Thailand before a complete turnaround as they defeated Laos 5–1. Securing their goals through Amri Yahyah (2), Amirul Hadi, Mahali Jasuli and Norshahrul Idlan, Harimau Malaya proved themselves worthy of the semi-finals.
Waiting for them were Group B winners, Vietnam. As the first leg was played at Bukit Jalil National Stadium, Malaysia took advantage of their home field and managed to defeat Vietnam 2–0. Both goals were scored by Safee Sali in the 60th and 79th minutes. The national team ended up winning 2–0 on aggregate after a fruitless second match in Vietnam.
The first match of the final between Malaysia and Indonesia left spectators stunned. As both teams held their defences, Safee Sali’s 61st minute goal sparked a fire. It was followed by a goal by Ashaari Samsudin seven minutes later, before Safee scored Malaysia’s third eight minutes before the match ended. Malaysia won 3-0.
Despite a 3–0 lead, pressure loomed over Harimau Malaya as they returned to Jakarta for the second leg of the final. Safee Sali scored the first goal in the 54th minute, adding to Malaysia’s comfortable lead. Indonesia managed to land a couple of goals, which led them to win 2–1 on the night. However, victory was Malaysia’s as they held up the AFF Cup high for the first time with a 4–2 aggregate.
