MALAYSIA finally ended their 20-year gold drought in the SEA Games men’s football competition when they defeated Viet-nam 1-0 in the final at the Main Stadium of the National Sports Complex in Vientiane yesterday.

The national Under-23 boys, who came as non-medal prospects under Category B, pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the Games to win the gold medal – Malaysia’s 40th in the Laos SEA Games.

An own goal by Vietnam’s Mai Xuan Hop in the 85th minute was enough to seal victory for the gritty Malaysian side, who came alive in the second-half.

National coach K. Rajagopal was full of praise for his warriors, who created history.

“We achieved an historic feat in Vientiane,” said a jubilant Rajagopal, as the players garlanded all 20 gold medals onto him after the medal presentation ceremony.

“We started the competition by recording the biggest win of the football competition (since 1959) – thrashing Timor Leste 11-0. Then, we packed off defending champions Thailand (out of the semi-finals for the first time in 36 years).

“Today, we have won the gold medal away from home for the first time after 30 years (1979) and ... crowned champions after 20 years.

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