Indonesia says Malaysia cheated on victory during first leg of AFF Cup final

Indonesia says Malaysia cheated on victory during first leg of AFF Cup final

2010-12-28 06:20:14 GMT+7 (ICT)

JAKARTA, INDONESIA (BNO NEWS) -- The Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) on Monday said Malaysia's national team cheated during the first leg of the Asean Football Federation (AFF) Cup final on Sunday, the Jakarta Post reported.

Nurdin Halid, head of the PSSI, said a powder which causes itchiness and allergic reactions was discovered in front of Indonesia's goal net in the Bukit Jalil football stadium in Kuala Lumpur. The match was won by Malaysia by 3 goals to zero.

According to Halid, the suspicious powder affected Indonesian goalkeeper Markus Haris Maulana and other defensive players as it caused itchiness which had a negative effect in their performance during the first leg match.

In addition, the Indonesian team claimed that, during the match, Malaysian supporters were aiming laser beams at their eyes. The game was stopped after 53 minutes and the Indonesian team walked off the field in protest.

Stadium authorities called for measure and warned that the match could be suspended if that behavior continued. The game eventually resumed after five minutes and Malaysia then scored three goals in minutes 53, 71, and 68.

Indonesia has announced that it will file a formal protest with the Asean Football Federation as the team claims it was terrorized since they were in a bus heading towards the stadium.

It was Malaysia's first final in 14 years and first victory over Indonesia since 1979. The second leg is scheduled to take place in Jakarta on Wednesday.

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