Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak says he expects a miracle will occur that will allow Malaysia's football team to revenge their loss to Thailand in the return leg of the AFF Suzuki Cup final on Saturday.
Thailand coach Kiatisak Senamuang is greeted by football fans at Don Mueang airport as he led the squad to catch a plane to Kuala Lumpur on Thursday. (Photo by Pattarapong Chatpattarasill)
"Last night, the national team lost to Thailand, but this Saturday, I will be there. Hopefully, a miracle will happen for us to bounce back, God willing. We pray for the success of our football team," the Bernama news agency quoted him as saying on Thursday.
The Thai football squad defeated Malaysia 2-0 in the first leg at the Rajamangala National Stadium on Wednesday, giving them an edge in the return leg to be held at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday.
Malaysia players react after losing to Thailand in their first leg final match of the AFF Suzuki Cup 2014 on Wednesday. (Reuters photo)
Malaysian national head coach Dollah Salleh said after the defeat in Bangkok on Wednesday that his team will come back strong on Saturday.
"We still have 90 minutes to go. It's not easy to play in the second leg after losing 0-2 but in football, anything can happen and I'm confident we can do better at the (National Stadium) in Bukit Jalil," Bernama quoted him as saying.
The penalty awarded by referee Kovalenko Valentin of Uzbekistan in the second half was a turning point of the match, he added.
The War Elephants left for Kuala Lumpur on Thursday to prepare for the final match. The winner will be crowned the Asean champion.
The Malaysians came from behind in the semifinal. They lost 2-1 to Vietnam in the Malaysian capital but defeated their rival in Hanoi 4-2 to advance to the final with a 5-4 aggregate.