Last-gasp Indonesia salvage Laos draw
Indonesia needed an 89th-minute equaliser to avoid an embarassing defeat to Laos as both sides played out a 2-2 draw in their AFF Suzuki Cup Group B opener on Sunday.
The Laotians took the lead in the 30th minute when Khampheng Sayavutthi netted from the spot after Endra Prasetya had conceded a penalty and earned his marching orders, but they were soon down to ten man as well when Sopha Saysana received a controversial red.
Two minutes before the break, Indonesia full-back Raphael Maitimo ensured his first cap would be one to remember as he nodded home an equaliser, but Laos found themselves ahead once more in the 80th minute when Keoviengpheth Lithideth pounced on an error to score.
But as injury time beckoned, Laos keeper Sengphachan Bountisanh gifted a goal to Vendry Mofu when he pushed a shot straight into the path of his opponent for an easy put-away, costing his side what would have arguably their most famous victory ever.
And although they didn't leave the Bukit Jalil National Stadium emptyhanded, Merah Putih will undoubtedly feel they should have sealed all three points against a side who have only ever won two games in Southeast Asia's premier international competition.
Lions stun Malaysia in Group B opener
Malaysia were left stunned at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium on Sunday as they kicked off their AFF Suzuki Cup Group B campaign with a 3-0 defeat to Singapore.
Having seen Indonesia surprisingly held to a 2-2 draw by Laos earlier in the day, both sides entered the game knowing a win would put them in pole position to qualify for the semi-finals, even at such an early stage.
Harimau Malaya, as defending champions and co-hosts, were expected to see off their arch-rivals.
But they were left stunned as Shahril Ishak netted two clinical strikes to given the Lions a commanding lead at the break, before Aleksandar Duric came off the bench and added a third to seal an impressive victory.
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