Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuching: Macau booked their place in the final of the 2016 AFC Solidarity Cup on Saturday evening with a 4-3 penalty shootout win over 10-man Brunei Darussalam following a 1-1 draw after 120 minutes of action at the Sarawak Stadium.
Goalkeeper Ho Man Fai saved spot kicks from Rosmin Kamis and Maududi Kasmi to send Macau into the deciding game on Tuesday, where they will take on Nepal, who earlier saw off Laos in a shootout of their own.
Shahrazen Said gave Brunei the 27th minute lead but Wardun Yussof’s 55th minute sending off was followed by an equaliser from Leong Ka Hang and Brunei held on to take the game through extra time and to penalties.
But the shootout turned out to be a step too far for Brunei, and Macau advanced thanks to the heroics of Ho, who kept out efforts from 12 yards in the third and fourth rounds as his side’s four penalty takers all successfully found the back of the net.
MACAU TO FACE NEPAL WITHOUT PRESSURE SAYS HERO HO
Brunei went into the game as marginal favourites and introduced Leicester City winger Faiq Bolkiah into a side that featured three alterations from the team that lost 3-0 to Nepal in their final group game while Macau made five changes from the side that drew 1-1 with Sri Lanka on Wednesday.
Despite coach Tam Iao San refreshing his line-up, there was still no recall for the tournament’s top scorer, Nicholas Torrao, who missed the previous game due to suspension but was available for selection.
Macau’s Leong Ka Hang gave Brunei a scare in the 23rd minute when he rose highest to meet Kong Cheng Hou’s cross from the left, only to head over the bar from 12 yards out, and four minutes later the South east Asian side responded by going a goal up.
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/mac_bru_2_jpg.html
