Thailand lifted the AFF Suzuki Cup 2014, winning by a 4-3 aggregate against Malaysia after the final second leg match at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil here tonight.

Thailand lost the second leg 2-3 to Malaysia but were winners by virtue of their 2-0 victory in the first leg of the two-leg final at the Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok on Wednesday.

Malaysia were leading 2-0 at half-time.

In the pulsating final, Malaysia, backed up by more 90,000 fans including hardcore supporters Ultras Malaya, went on the attack as soon as Iranian referee Faghani Alireza Mohammad blew the starting whistle.

The effort paid immediate dividends as Faghani awarded a penalty to Malaysia in the 6th minute when striker Norshahrul Idlan Talaha was brought down in the box.

Midfield maestro Safiq Rahim cooly slotted the ball past Thai keeper, Kawin Thamsatchanan, which sent the home crowd in a frenzy of delight more so with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin among the biggest fans present.

The ‘War Elephants’ however stepped up the game after that and managed to even up play by mounting continuous attacks through their combination of winger Thawikan Kroekrit and midfielder Chanathip Songkrasin but the Malaysian defence headed by Muhammad Shukor Adan soaked up the pressure

The stadium reverberated again when Indra Putra Mahayuddin headed in Malaysia's second goal from a cross supplied by Norshahrul in injury time in the first half to put Malaysia in a much more comfortable position for the second half.

Two late goals

On resumption, Harimau Malaya coached by Dollah Salleh continued with their attacks resulting in Safiq netting himself a brace when his beauty of a spot kick in the 58th minute sailed past Kawin into the net.

 

However, the War Elephants regrouped after that and went on the offensive but took them till the 81st minute to find their first goal which was netted by their Switzerland-born striker Charyl Yannic Chappuis.

 

The goal came after a spot kick from outside the box taken by Kroekrit was parried away by Malaysian keeper Mohd Farizal Marlias into the path of Chappuis.

Thailand sealed victory when Chanathip fired home a cracker in the 88th minute.

This is the fourth time Thailand emerged champions after 1996, 2000 and 2002.

As champions, Thailand took home US$200,000 (RM696,974) and the AFF Cup.

However, all was not lost for Malaysia as Safiq won the top scorer award for his six goals in the prestigious tournament.

- Bernama