Myanmar kept their hopes of a place in the semi-finals of the AFF Under-16 Girls’ Championship alive when they beat Malaysia 2-1 in the crucial game of Group A at the Athletic Jaka Baring 1 Stadium.
With a place in the next round at stake, the winner would ensure that they are in the driver’s seat and could well tilt the balance of being group winners or coming in as the runners-up.
Against such a setting, Myanmar took off from the get go and pressure the Malaysians much into their own.
It did not take them long to carve out the lead when Myat Noe Khin slotted home from close range early in the eighth minute.
Noe Khin then doubled the advantage for Myanmar with the second goal of the game in the 29th minute as Malaysia became increasingly under pressure to get back into the game.
And the Malaysian girls duly gave themselves a lifeline in the 34th minute when Helima Emily Joinin slammed home.
That was to be the best of the actions in the game as the second half saw both teams playing it safe while looking for the opportunity to add to the score line.
“Both teams played really well,” said Myanmar head coach San San Thein. “Malaysia is a very good team and they have good physique. It is important that we pick up the full points today.”
“Myanmar played really well today and they totally deserved the win,” said Malaysian head coach Justin Ganai. “We tried hard to match them but fell a little short.”
In the meantime, Singapore denied the Philippines their first win of the competition following their 1-1 draw at the Bumi Sriwijaya Stadium.
The game was mostly concentrated at the centre of the park before the deadlock was broken in the 26th minute when Maria Diaz Lazo ran past her marker to slot the ball home.
Singapore kept their cool all the way into the second half and a mistake in the Philippines backline would cost them dearly in the 63rd minute Nurhidayu Naszri charged in to score.
“We have kept ourselves alive and we are still hoping that we can win our two matches,” said Philippines head coach Marielle Benitez. “Anything can happen and we hope that we can continue to play well.”
AFF UNDER-16 GIRLS’ CHAMPIONSHIP
RESULTS (Group A)
Philippines 1 Singapore 1
Myanmar 2 Malaysia 1
FIXTURES (Group B)
6 May 2018 (Kick off at 1600hrs)
Thailand vs Cambodia (Bumi Sriwijaya)
Laos vs Indonesia (Athletic Jaka Baring 1)
