MALAYSIA did the job by swatting Laos 5-1 in Palembang but it was two goals by Indonesia's Bambang Pamungkas in Jakarta which sent the national team through to the semi-finals of the AFF Suzuki Cup yesterday.
Indonesia's 2-1 win over Thailand meant Malaysia edged the Thais to second place in Group A and accompany the hosts to the last four.
Two first half goals by Amri Yahyah, who had gone six years without a goal on the international stage, set Malaysia on the way at the Jaka Baring Stadium in rainy Palembang.
Amri chose the perfect moment to end his drought, striking twice for his first international goals since also scoring a brace against Timor Leste at the 2004 Asean Championship in Bukit Jalil.
Starting in place of the injured Safee Sali, Amri gave Malaysia a perfect start in the fourth minute, connecting to Norshahrul Idlan Talaha's square pass into the six-yard box with a diving header to guide the ball in off the far post.
But just as suddenly, Laos drew level four minutes later. Lamnao Singto ghosted in behind centre-back Muslim Ahmad to head in a cross from the right past Khairul Fahmi Che Mat.
Lamnao nearly punished Malaysia again in the 21st minute from a similar position but this time his header was straight at Khairul Fahmi after Muslim and Faizal Muhammad failed to deal with a long ball into the box.
Laos were controlling possession with Malaysia getting little in the way of shots at goal until the 40th minute when Amri made it 2-1.
Safiq Rahim found space on the right and played a pass forward into the box for Amri to nudge into goal.
As both teams struggled to find their footing in the second round with the rain pouring heavily, Norshahrul squandered a chance to extend Malaysia's lead in the 61st minute when he beat one defender only to take an extra touch and that allowed the goalkeeper to block.
Minutes later came news that Suree Sukha had volleyed Thailand ahead against Indonesia in Jakarta.
Substitute Amirulhadi Zainal then made it 3-1 for Malaysia in the 74th minute after charging down a clearance and stroking the loose ball home.
Norshahrul put the seal on the win two minutes later when he dispossessed a Lao defender to fire in the fourth goal before Laos defender Kitsada Thongkhen put the ball into his own net for a 5-1 win.
In between those goals, former Selangor striker Bambang scored two penalties for Indonesia to send Malaysia through to a last four meeting with the Group B winner in the first leg in Kuala Lumpur on Dec 15.
Read more: Five-star Malaysia in semis
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