Many Malaysian fans lost their temper in the closing stages of the first leg of the 2014 AFF Suzuki Cup semifinal between hosts Malaysia and Vietnam, in which the visitors came from behind to earn a thrilling away victory on Sunday, starting a bloody attack against the guest supporters to vent their fury.

The home team made use of everything they had, from the 11 men on the pitch, to the 80,000 fans that filled Kuala Lumpur’s Shah Alam Stadium, and even Chinese referee Ma Ning, who favored the Malaysians without concealment, but still had to sustain a 2-1 defeat.

The local supporters did not use laser lights to distract the Vietnamese players as they did in the 2010 edition, but moved on to a more violent reaction: physical assault.

In the 2010 AFF Suzuki Cup semi first leg, the Malaysians beat Vietnam 2-0 thanks to laser beams the host fans projected at the Vietnamese goalkeeper, and went on to a 0-0 draw in Hanoi to make it to the final.

Shortly after the Chinese referee, who was strongly criticized by Vietnamese fans and media for his unfairness, blew the final whistle last night, a number of Malaysian fans rushed to assault the Vietnamese in the stands, a Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper correspondent reported from the scene.

The Malaysian fans were angered by their home team’s loss, fueled by the fact that some of them failed to get a seat and had to stand among the Vietnamese supporters, according to the Tuoi Tre reporter.

Nguyen Van Tuan, a Vietnamese guest worker in Malaysia who witnessed the attack, said some of his fellow supporters were injured as glass bottles were hurled at their heads.

“We were cheering excitedly after Vietnam took the 2-1 lead when bottles flew in from the Malaysian side,” Tuan said.

The targeted Vietnamese fans then had to run away from what they called the “dangerous area,” triggering a small stampede in the stands, Tuan recalled.

“Some women had their backs stepped on as they fell during the run, some lost their shoes,” he said.

“Many of us were bleeding.”

Other Malaysian fans also used their fists to ‘speak’ with the Vietnamese supporters, and police officers and stadium security guards showed up too late, according to the witness.

Some Malaysian fans even attempted to attack police officers.

After police took control of the situation, the injured Vietnamese fans were taken to a corner of the stadium for first aid.

The guest supporters then left the arena between two lines of officers at the entrance/exit gate.

The Malaysian Insider reported on Monday that “Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin has hit out at local football fans who attacked Vietnamese fans during last night's AFF Suzuki Cup semi-final at the Shah Alam Stadium, and offered his apology to Vietnamese supporters.”

"These violent fans do not represent Malaysia. My sincere apologies on behalf of Malaysia for the actions of these small number of irresponsible thugs," the newswire quoted him as saying. 

Khairy also reportedly expressed his concern about the return game in Hanoi later this week following the bloody attack on the Vietnamese fans.

"These irresponsible people don't think what would happen to our fans when we play in Hanoi, Vietnam, for the second leg," the minister said.

The away win in the semi first leg was literarily bloody for Vietnam, as some of their players were also severely fouled by their Malaysian rivals.

The referee even awarded the home team a penalty 13 minutes into the game as a shot from a distance slightly hit the left shoulder of Vietnamese midfielder Huy Hung in the box. The Chinese referee ruled that Hung deliberately used his hand.

Ma also ignored numerous obvious fouls by the Malaysians and reluctantly booked a yellow card for captain Rahim after he attacked Vietnam’s Tien Thanh with a kung fu technique.

But the players of Japanese coach Toshiya Miura defied the rough play of the home rivals to bring home an impressive victory.

Huy Toan leveled the match in the 32nd minute and Van Quyet settled the victory on the hour mark with an unstoppable left-footed shot after Safiq Rahim converted the penalty.

Thailand held hosts the Philippines to a goalless draw in the other semifinal first leg on Saturday. Their second leg will be staged in Bangkok on December 10.

Vietnam have scored the most goals at the Cup so far, with eight of its players netting a total of ten goals after four matches.

The return game will take place at My Dinh Stadium in Hanoi on December 11.

A Malaysian supporter (in black) is seen attacking a Vietnamese fan following the semifinal first leg between Malaysia and Vietnam at the 2014 AFF Suzuki Cup in Kuala Lumpur on December 7.

The stands where Vietnamese fans were seated turned into a mess on  December 7 , 2014 when they were attacked by Malaysian supporters after Vietnam staged a remarkable comeback to beat Malaysia 2-1 in the 2014 AFF Suzuki Cup semi first leg in Kuala Lumpur.

Vietnamese fans run away from the attack by Malaysian supporters on December 7, 2014 after Vietnam staged a remarkable comeback to beat Malaysia 2-1 in the 2014 AFF Suzuki Cup semi first leg in Kuala Lumpur.

Police show up, finally. Police officers catch an unruly Malaysian supporter.

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