FAM wants Fifa to review extra time change in Indonesia game

The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) will write to Fifa for clarification of the abrupt change in added time during the Fifa Asean Cup match between Indonesia and Bangladesh in Jakarta last night.

FAM said two minutes of extra time was initially given for the match, then abruptly altered to seven, allowing Indonesia to score two crucial goals in the 96th and 97th minutes as they hammered Bangladesh 9-2.

This enabled Indonesia to reach the cup final by edging Malaysia for the top spot in Group A based on goals scored. Malaysia and Indonesia finished the group stage with seven points and an identical goal difference, but Indonesia progressed as it scored 11 goals overall compared with Malaysia’s nine.

In a statement, FAM said accurate and consistent match time management is a critical component of officiating and overall competition integrity as it ensures that matches are conducted fairly and in line with the laws of the game.

“The matter warrants clarification, given the significance of the match in determining the final standings in Group A and the teams advancing to the final.

“FAM respectfully requests that Fifa review the circumstances surrounding the incident and provide clarification of the procedures followed by the match officials, including the basis for the adjustment to the amount of added time,” the national football body said.

It said this was strictly a procedural request, not an attempt to challenge the final match result or question the performance of any team.

Malaysia thrashed Singapore 6-0 in their final Group A match yesterday but still missed out on a place in the Fifa Asean Cup final after the result in the Indonesia-Bangladesh match.