Jakarta - Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Tun Rajak announced Friday as a national holiday to celebrate Malaysia's victory in the 2010 Asean Football Federation Suzuki Cup.
Najib congratulated the Malaysian team for having won 4-2 on aggregate to Indonesia on Wednesday.
“The young men have made us proud and we must use the victory to boost Malaysian football to glory,” Najib said.
Indonesia failed to overcome a three-goal deficit after a disastrous first-leg final in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday, and its 2-1 victory at an overflowing Bung Karno Stadium was not enough to arrest a string of Cup setbacks dating to the tournament's inception in 1996.
Malaysian striker Mohd Safee's 54th-minute goal put Indonesia's back against the wall, all but assuring the visitors a victory in a final featuring two sides that had never won the title.
With the win, coach K. Rajagobal's side now owns the region's top football prizes, after having clinched the Southeast Asian Games title last year.
Meanwhile, Indonesia's team captain and midfielder, Firman Utina, was honored as the AFF 2010's Most Valuable Player and received a $10,000 prize. (JG & Antara)
Source: http://www.thejakartaglobe.com
Najib congratulated the Malaysian team for having won 4-2 on aggregate to Indonesia on Wednesday.
“The young men have made us proud and we must use the victory to boost Malaysian football to glory,” Najib said.
Indonesia failed to overcome a three-goal deficit after a disastrous first-leg final in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday, and its 2-1 victory at an overflowing Bung Karno Stadium was not enough to arrest a string of Cup setbacks dating to the tournament's inception in 1996.
Malaysian striker Mohd Safee's 54th-minute goal put Indonesia's back against the wall, all but assuring the visitors a victory in a final featuring two sides that had never won the title.
With the win, coach K. Rajagobal's side now owns the region's top football prizes, after having clinched the Southeast Asian Games title last year.
Meanwhile, Indonesia's team captain and midfielder, Firman Utina, was honored as the AFF 2010's Most Valuable Player and received a $10,000 prize. (JG & Antara)
Source: http://www.thejakartaglobe.com