Thailand’s Bangkok BTS FC will take on East Coast Heat FC of Australia in the final of the AFF Futsal Club Championship 2018 that will be played in two days.
In the semi-finals that was played this afternoon at the GOR UNY, Bangkok BTS proved their pedigree by coming back from a goal down to beat MIC FC from Myanmar 3-1 while in the second semi-final, East Coast Heat overcame home team SKN FC 6-4.
Bangkok BTS, who took over from Port FC as Thailand’s representative this year, have a lot to prove and certainly failing behind did not do them any favours.
Off a quick counter in the 13th minute, Myanmar’s Aung Thu was right on the money to put the ball beyond the reach of the on-coming BTS custodian Hadsadee Makcheaw.
Bangkok BTS failed to make full use of a man advantage in the 15th minute when MIC’s Okkar Kyaw was sent out from the game for a second yellow card offense.
But Bangkok BTS were in no real danger of losing the plot or the tie with captain Punyapon Pumwiset again playing a pivotal role as he pushed up the attack after the break.
Teedanai Yakhiaw slammed in the equaliser in the 28th minute as Warut Wangsama-Aeo then ran down the left and shoot past his marker for the lead three minutes later.
Bangkok BTS then made sure of their place in the final when Muhammad Osamanmusa cheekily back-heeled a corner for the well-deserved victory.
In the second semi-finals, the injury to the battling Khalid El Hattach to a knee injury was to play a big part in SKN’s 6-4 defeat to East Coast Heat.
“We tried to match them but the second half totally changed the game when we made some mistakes,” said SKN head coach Deny Handoyo.
SKN needed the physical qualities of El Hattach and while they managed to get to the score sheet first when captain Farhan Rizky scored in the second minute off a playback from Said Bouzambou, they failed to protect that lead.
With four minutes left of the first half, Nestor Guzman had a lay-up from Jamie Dib to thank for East Coast Heat equaliser as the game really went up a notch into the second half.
The battle was end to end but as SKN became increasingly under pressure to perform in front of their home fans and make the final, a series of mistakes allowed East Coast Heat to be in front.
The Australians slammed in four goals within a space of seven minutes – Daniel Fornito (26th and 30th minute), Anthony Haddad (31st) and Francisco Lamelas (80th) to put them comfortable ahead.
SKN tried to get back into the match with goals from Fahrudin Haryono (31st), Bouzambou (36th and 40th), an own goal from SKN defender Erfinaldi (40th) right at the end, failed to ignite a late revival.
With the win, East Coast Heat will take on Bangkok BST for the title this year while SKN will play MIC for the third spot.
RESULTS
SEMI-FINALS
Bangkok BTS (THAILAND) 3 MIC FC (MYANMAR) 1
East Coast Heat FC (AUSTRALIA) 6 SKN FC (INDONESIA) 4
FIXTURES – 21 July 2018
All matches at GOR UNY
Third and Fourth Placing (1100): MIC FC (MYANMAR) vs SKN FC (INDONESIA)
Final (1400): Bangkok BTS (THAILAND) vs East Coast Heat FC (AUSTRALIA)
