Hosts Indonesian had to be frustrated with two points lost instead of winning all three when they were held to a scoreless draw by a resilient Singapore side in the second game of Group B of the AFF Women’s Championship here at the Jaka Baring Stadium.
As a nervous Myanmar side came up with the goods to thrash the Philippines 4-0 in an earlier match, the draw by the home certainly was not pleasing to head coach Satia Bagdija Ijatna.
“We lost two points today when we should have won all three. Given the chances we had, we should have made good on that,” said Satia afterwards.
“Obviously, this has made our passage to the next round harder where next we will play Vietnam, who will be fresh for the game considering that they are not playing today.”
Backed by a smattering of supporters at the stand did not deter Indonesia to go all out in the first game of the competition.
As compared to their friendly a month back when they were thrashed by Thailand by more than a dozen goals, the Indonesians girls were more confident this time round.
They held possessions for long periods and kept Singapore to just a handful of chances throughout the night.
Both Zahrah Muzdaliffah and Mayang Mayang were disappointing in the first half with two gilt edged chances while six minutes after the break, a one-on-one situation had the latter totally miscuing her shot.
As Singapore’s Priscilla Tan could not do no better, team mate Lim Li Xian fired in a 78th minute effort that almost broke the deadlock.
Indonesia continued to be frustrated with a double chance not finding the back of the net while Singapore final effort of the game off a header from Nur Farhanah Ruhaizat went narrowly over the crossbar.
In the meantime, a nervous Myanmar side steeled their nerves enough to whitewash the Philippines 4-0.
With the Philippines girls still finding their footing, Naw Arlo Wer Phaw ran in from the right for a grounder that caught Philippines keeper Inna Palacios off guard.
The Philippines defence got their act together to fend off the Myanmar frontline before Palacios goal was breached again in the 23rd minute through Khin Moe Wai.
Philippines striker Eva Madarang was easily the most hardworking player on the pitch but lack of support saw the several chances created totally wasted.
Myanmar were not pushing too hard to add to the scoreline although they did find the back of the net off Wei Theingi Tun in the 49th minute and July Kyaw in the 63rd minute.
“The players were nervous as they were anxious for the win and the first full points,” said Myanmar head coach Win Thu Moe.
“They scored the first two goals and they seemed to forget what I told them after about team tactics after that. But the four goals were good enough.”
AFF WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP
RESULTS – Group B
Philippines 0 Myanmar 4
Singapore 0 Indonesia 0
FIXTURES – All matches at Bumi Sriwijaya Stadium
2 July 2018 – Group A
1600: Timor Leste vs Thailand
1900: Malaysia vs Cambodia
