VIDEO: 4.19 mins

Malaysia advances to the final of the AFF Suzuki Cup after defeating Vietnam 5-4 on goal aggregate.

Harimau Malaya trounced Vietnam 4-2 in the second leg of the semi-finals in Hanoi tonight, booking its place to compete against Thailand.

Malaysia’s goals were scored by Safiq Rahim, Idlan Talaha, Shukor Adan and Vietnamese player Tien Thanh who knocked in an own goal at the 29 th minute.

Vietnamese striker Cong Vinh netted both goals for his team.

The victory is marred by a bloody incident last Sunday when Malaysian fans assaulted Vietnamese fans at Shah Alam in the first leg of the semi-finals, after the home team lost 1-2.

Earlier, a group of Malay NGOs issued a memorandum to the Vietnamese embassy in Kuala Lumpur to apologise for the assault.

Led by Majlis Jalinan Muhibbah Malaysia (MJMM) chief Abdul Rani Kulup Abdullah (right) , the NGOs said they were representing the Malaysian people, and urged the authorities to stop such incidences from recurring.

“This is something unreasonable and bad, as the whole world was watching us. If you lose, you lose. Whoever wins, wins. We need to show respect to our overseas guests,” Abdul Rani said.

Dressed in his trademark red beret, he also urged Malaysian fans to think before they act as their actions may endanger Malaysian fans attending the second leg in Vietnam.

Abdul Rani is known for lodging police reports seeking action on those deemed to have insulted Malays and Muslims.

Also at the Vietnamese embassy today was Ikatan Rakyat Insan Muslim Malaysia (Irimm) Amir Amsaa Alla Pictchay, Pertubuhan Ikatan Usahawan Kecil dan Sederhana Malaysia (Ikhlas) Mohd Ridzuan Abdullah president and several activists.

Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin condemned the hooliganism and issued an apology to Vietnam.

The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM), whose website was hacked following the incident, was issued a show-cause letter by the Asean Football Federation.