Final countdown: Coach Alfred Riedl (center) heads Indonesia’s national team practice at Senayan soccer field, Jakarta, on Monday two days before the second leg of the AFF Suzuki Cup finals against Malaysia at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium. Indonesia was defeated in the first leg of the finals 3-0 by Malaysia on Saturday in Kuala Lumpur. Antara/Andika Wahyu

Your comments:

Before we start a race war, let me just point out one thing! Both Malaysia and Indonesia share one common thing: You’re all Malays and I think it’s a very common Malay trait to complain about everything!
Please take into consideration that you share the same traits!
Robert Matthews
Jakarta

Actually the goalkeeper had a clear view of the ball, because he was focusing on the ball which is on the ground.
This means lasers would have been useless unless the goalkeeper was foolish enough to look at the beams and not the ball, in which case he would have been distracted.
So, do not blame others for the mistakes we made. Blame the
goalkeeper for all the foolish things he did.
Upin
Sabah

Call me silly but as a Malaysian I was supporting the Indonesian team because of our Malaysian team
losing to much lesser teams over
the years.
I’m not a football fan but seeing yesterday’s game, this is what I noted. There was no rough play.
The referees were fair. So it all came down to may be the better team winning.
If the loss was due to lasers pointed at the goalkeeper, was this done throughout the first half or the second half or the whole game?
If lasers were the issue maybe the score should have been more for the Malaysian team or the Indonesian team should have scored also during the first half. Overall, it was a good game and both teams did their best. This is the spirit in any game.
Richard
Jakarta

This is embarrassing. Our President protesting our loss based on laser issues. Mr. President, with all due respect, don’t do such foolish things in your era of presidency.
We have lost. That is it, Mr. President!
Andy Atis
Jakarta
 
Unbelievably hypocrisy considering that the group that staged the game was also marred by lasers. It just speaks of sour grapes.
“Let’s be a country that upholds a fair play.”
JH
Canada

Bravo to the National Team, never give up!  
“Where there’s a will, there’s a way.”
Keep fighting. All of Indonesia are behind you.
Shiara
Jakarta
That is exactly what sets us Indonesians apart from the rest of our Southeast Asian neighbors: a lack of sportsmanship. We are poor losers and always try to blame others!
I suggest SBY sticks to playing his guitar and singing his own (terrible) songs and stays away from sports.
Raja
Baa, East Nusa Tenggara

The game is still on. Indonesia still has hope, as long as they
play with high skill. May the best team win.
I just worry that Indonesian fans may get out of control.
Monaz
Kuala Lumpur

Garuda is not against tigers. We are only cubs not tigers. The average age of our four defenders is only 21 years old.
Ady
Kuala Lumpur

The media should behave. We are not at war. We are playing football. I love football games that are played beautifully, whether my team wins or loses. Malaysia did well last night but not Indonesia.
The same could have happened to either Malaysia or Indonesia.
Corleone
Kuala Lumpur

We’ll do better in Jakarta — without the lasers.
Conor
Jakarta
 
The Indonesian team should blame their lack of stamina and soccer skills for losing to Malaysia. They should not blame lasers.
Mike
Malaysia
I’m neither an Indonesian nor Malaysian. The way I see it, this is supposed to be a supportive event. It doesn’t have to be a war.
If this does go on, maybe there shouldn’t be any more ASEAN Football Federation.
Hopefully both teams fight hard and put on a tremendous show and the spirit for the final because it’s about team spirit and skill. People should see the positive points instead of the negative.
Zara
Singapore

Whoever wins the second
leg, the AFF will have a new champion. After 14 years, both Indonesia and Malaysia hope to be the
chosen one.
Don’t let laser beams and overexcited supporters from both
sides ruin the dignity of the new champion.
Fadillah
Jakarta

Just accept the defeat and prepare for the next match. Good luck to both teams.
Suebsak
Bangkok

Everybody please focus on the objectives of the AFF Cup — to
build good relations among ASEAN nations and to build up national teams.
So, we should admit that Malaysia was better during the first
match.
Let those players learn how to play better.
Who knows — someday Malaysia and Indonesia may both represent Asia in the World Cup!
Zul MS
Johor, Malaysia

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