50 TAHUN LALU – Korea Selatan meranapkan impian Malaysia
Pada hari ini dalam tahun 1975, Malaysia melangkah ke atas padang Stadium Merdeka berazam untuk menjuarai Pestabola Merdeka buat kali ketiga berturut-turut seperti mana kemenangan pada 1958-60. Tahun 1975 juga menyaksikan pertandingan akhir ulangan menentang Korea Selatan. Pada tahun sebelumnya, Malaysia berjaya mengalahkan musuh tradisi mereka 1-0.
Pada peringkat kumpulan, Korea Selatan telah menewaskan Malaysia 3-1 di perlawanan pembukaan. Misi membalas dendam mereka terus berjaya setelah kemenangan perlawanan akhir, menjadikan mereka juara Pestabola Merdeka 1975.
Lebih 40,000 penonton menyaksikan pasukan pelawat menjaringkan gol pada minit ke-35 menerusi Lee Young-moo dan mereka dinafikan menambah sebarang gol daripada pasukan kebangsaan. Walaupun Harimau Malaya dikatakan mempamerkan serangan yang mantap diketuai oleh ketua pasukan Soh Chin Ann dari posisi pertahanannya, barisan pertahanan dilaporkan tidak mempamerkan aksi terbaik mereka.
Malaysia hampir berjaya memberi gol penyamaan setelah Isa Bakar merembat bola menewaskan penjaga gol Korea Selatan Kwon Yi-woon. Malangnya, bola tersebut terkena tiang gol dan perlawanan diteruskan. Dengan hanya gol tunggal daripada Korea Selatan, mereka merangkul kejuaraan dengan kemenangan 1-0.
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50 YEARS AGO
South Korea Shatters Malaysia’s Dreams
On this day in 1975, Malaysia stepped onto the Merdeka Stadium pitch determined to win the Merdeka Tournament for a third time in a row, similar as when they were victorious from 1958-60. 1975 also saw a repeating final clash between Malaysia and South Korea. In the previous year, their longtime rivals had defeated Malaysia 1-0.
Previously in the group stage, South Korea had defeated Malaysia 3–1 in the opening match. Their revenge mission continued to be successful in the final match where they were declared champions of the 1975 Merdeka Tournament.
Over 40,000 spectators witnessed the visiting team score a goal in the 35th minute through Lee Young-moo and they were denied any from the national team, Malaysia. While they were said to show strong attacking moves, led by team captain Soh Chin Ann from his defensive position, the defence line arguably did not put up their best performance.
Malaysia came close to an equaliser after Isa Bakar delivered a powerful shot past South Korean goalkeeper Kwon Yi-woon. Unfortunately the ball hit the goalpost and was sent back into play. With South Korea scoring the only goal of the match, they clinched the title with a 1–0 win.
