Malaysia won their first Southeast Asian Games football title for 20 years Thursday as Thailand regained their place at the top of the medals table on the final full day of action in Laos. Thailand reached 84 golds, three clear of Vietnam - who had earlier surged clear at the top - and nearly double Indonesia's tally of 43.
Malaysia's under-23 footballers beat Vietnam 1-0 in the National Stadium on the outskirts of capital Vientiane, courtesy of an own goal in the 84th minute by Mai Xuan Hop. Malaysia coach K. Rajagopal said his team were worthy winners, particularly on the strength of their second-half showing, in which they could have had more goals.
"I think after the Thailand match my players showed what they have," he said. Malaysia put holders Thailand out in the group stage, ending their run of success which started in 1993. He said his team had shown "a lot of determination, a lot of spirit, a fighting attitude and I think we are a good footballing team." "I think we deserve to be the champion of the SEA Games in 2009. I think we did beyond our expectations," he added.
On the final day of track and field Vietnam's tally was boosted by wins in the 1,500m for Nguyen Dinh Cuong and Truong Thanh Hang, both of whom had previously won their 800m events. "I was injured before the SEA Games so I'm very happy to win two gold medals," said Nguyen Dinh Cuong, who finished in 3 minutes 46.58 seconds. In the women's event, Truong Thanh Hang held off a strong challenge by Myanmar's Than Toe Khin Myo down the home straight to win in 4:19.48, saying she was surprised by how hard she had been pushed in the final 100 metres.
Indonesia's Triyaningsih completed the women's 5,000 metres/10,000 metres double for the second SEA Games running, smashing the 10,000m games record by more than a minute and finishing in 32 minutes, 49.47 seconds. Malaysia's Mohammed Zafril won the men's 400m, with Treewadee Yongphan taking gold in the women's event for Thailand.
Thailand finished the track and field with a flourish, winning both 4x100m sprint relays, with Amornrat Winatho taking heptathlon gold. Malaysia's Roslinda Samsu took the women's pole vault in a new SEA Games record of 4.15 metres while compatriot Lee Hup Wei took gold in the men's high jump. Danilo Fresnido won men's javelin gold for the Philippines and Singapore's Zhang Guirong won the women's shot put.
Meanwhile Thailand and the Philippines dominated the boxing competition and in badminton, traditional powerhouse Indonesia won three golds. Athletes from 11 nations are competing at the 10-day SEA Games, which are held every two years in sports ranging from athletics and swimming to sepak takraw and wushu. They close on Friday.