In the end, it was heartbreak for hosts Malaysia. After a fine run to reach the SEA Games gold medal match in front of their own fans on the back of four group match wins and one semi-final victory, they were undone by the mighty Thailand.
More disappointingly, the only goal in the match that ended 1-0 came from an own goal by goalkeeper Haziq Nadzli, who otherwise had a good tournament and a final match, when he punched a Thailand corner kick into his own goal in the 39th minute.
In the second half Datuk Ong Kim Swee's charges tried to mount a comeback, which against Thailand meant risking exposing their own defences to counter-attacks.
And that's exactly what happened. The combination of Chenrop Samphaodi and Worachit Kanitsribumphen troubled Malaysia's back three often down the left and midfielder Azam Nor Azih, who had orchestrated most of Malaysia's attacking moves in the first half, had to sit deep and help the defenders in the second half instead.
Even then the Thais came very close to adding their second of the night, on not one but two occassions. But on both times, centre back Adam Nor Azlin displayed the composure he's fast developing a reputation for, stopping two sure chances from finding their way into the back of the net, and essentially making it game over for the Young Tigers.
Goal Malaysia
The 1-0 scoreline would remain at the final whistle and the ghost of the 2001 edition made its ghastly reappearance, but thanks to the striker-turned-defender Adam, the heartbreak did not come with embarrassment as well.
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