The first goal in a game is often all important, meaning that most teams are wary to concede early on. Nonetheless, sometimes goals can come early in a game, very early.
With the 2016 Suzuki Cup just around the corner, the opening game takes place on November 19th, here are a look back at some of the fastest goals in the tournament in recent years.
1. Noh Alam Shah
Country: Singapore
Current Age: 36 years old
Position: Striker
Sometimes goals can occur within a minute and that is exactly whebn Alam Shah scored his goal against Myanmar in the AFF Suzuki Cup 2008. Singapore would go on to win the game 3-1.
2. Baihakki Khaizan
Country: Singapore
Current Age: 32 years age
Position: Striker
Occuring during the AFF Suzuki Cup in 2008, on December 9th to be exact, Baihakki scored a goal when the game has been running for less than three minutes His Singapore national team emerged victorious with a 2-0 win over Indonesia.
3. Mohammed Amri Yahyah
Country: Malaysia
Current Age: 35 years old
Position: Striker / Attacking Midfielder
The first of five goals for Malaysia in a 2010 AFF Cup trouncing of minnows Laos came courtesy of Mohammed Amri Yahyah. Scoring after just four minutes, Malaysia announced their domination early on.
4. Chanathip Songkrasin
Country: Thailand
Current Age: 23 years old
Position: Midfielder
Two years ago, the highly rated midfielder scored in just the sixth minute, helping to Thailand's 3-0 win over the Philippines in the AFF Suzuki Cup 2014 semi final. Thailand went on to become champions for the fourth time.
5. Teerasil Dangda
Country: Thailand
Current Age: 28 years old
Position: Striker
A teammate of Songkrasin, Teerasil Dangda also scored a quickfire goal in an AFF Suzuki Cup semi final. The former Manchester City and Almeria striker netted inside 7 minutes in what was the only goal of the game.
6. Mohammad Safiq Rahim
Country: Malaysia
Current Age: 29 years old
Position: Midfielder
One of the recent classic games in the Suzuki Cup came in December 2014, when Malaysia took on Thailand. Midfielder Mohammad Safiq Rahim, who ended the tournament as the Golden Boot winner, scored a superb free kick after 7 minutes in that game.
7. Evan Dimas
Country: Indonesia
Current Age: 21 years old
Position: Midfielder
Anther drubbing of poor Laos, this time at the hands of Indonesia. Evan Dimas entered the history books when he scored the opener after just 8 minutes, in an eventual 5-0 win in November 2014.
8. Lamnao Singto
Country: Laos
Current Age: 28 years old
Position: Striker
Something for Laos to cheer about, or not quite. Striker Lamnao Singto scored after just 8 minutes, yet it proved to be merely a sideshow for the 5-1 defeat that they would suffer at the hands of Malaysia in the 2010 Suzuki Cup.
9. Ngo Hoang Thinh
Country: Vietnam
Current Age: 24 years old
Position: Midfielder
Vietnam also have a representative in this list, with current star Ngo Hoand Tninh scoring after just 9 minutes. The goal was a precedent for a 3-1 victory over rivals Malaysia in the 2014 Suzuki Cup.
10. Tossakrai Mongkol
Country: Thailand
Current Age: 29 years old
Position: Winger
Another 9th minute goal from the 2014 edition of the AFF Championships. This one came courtesy of Thailand winger Tossakrai Mongkol, who set his side on their way to a 2-1 win over Singapore.
11. Nova Arianto
Country: Indonesia
Current Age: 38 years old
Position: Striker
Now retired from the game, Indonesian striker Nova Arianto scored within 10 minutes as his side succumbed to a 2-1 defeat to Thailand. Occurring in December 2008, most Indonesian supporters will want to forget the game.
12. Fahrudin Mustafic
Country: Singapore
Current Age: 35 years old
Position: Centre Back
The final entrant onto this list is a centre back, although Fahrudin Mustafic is most certainly a goalscoring centre back. The Singapore stalwart is the nation's first choice penalty taker and he dispatched a characteristically powerful spot kick during a historic 3-1 win over Thailand in 2012.
Source: 90min
