Malaysia picked up a handsome 3-0 win over arch rivals Indonesia in the first-leg of the final in the Suzuki Cup Asean Football Federation (AFF) Championships at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil on Sunday.
Mohd Safee Sali was the toast scoring a brace in the 60th and 73rd minutes while substitute Mohd Ashaari Shamsuddin scored the other goal in the 67th minute to give Malaysia a comfortable three-goal cushion for the second-leg final at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta on Wednesday.
Malaysia had lost to Indonesia in the opening Group A match 1-5 in Jakarta on Dec 1.
Since the defeat the Malaysians have picked up momentum going three games undefeated - holding three-time winners Thailand (0-0), thrashing Laos (5-1) and knocking out defending champions Vietnam 2-0 on aggregate in the semi-finals last week.
Malaysia have never won the AFF series since the inaugural meet held in Singapore in 1996.
They made the final in 1996 but lost to Thailand 0-1.
