Sanvinest Sanatech Khanh Hoa displayed some finesse to beat Black Steel Manokwari 5-1 as Down Town Sport made a smashing debut to beat Melaka United 5-4 on the second match day of the AFF Futsal Cup 2019 here at Terminal 21 Korat.
The win for Sanvinest meant that they have a bright chance of making the semi-finals this year as Black Steel will now have to anxiously for the outcome of the final group game tomorrow between Sanvinest and PTT Chonburi.
“I expected us to win this game (against Black Steel) but really not by this scoreline. It was more than what I had expected,” said Sanvinest head coach Prasert Innui after the match.
While Black Steel of Indonesia had made a grand impression in their first game against PTT Chonburi Bluewave yesterday, they seem to be under the shade this time round as nothing seems to go right.
The key to Sanvinest’s game plan was defend, defend and after frustrating Black Steel for much of the first ten minutes of play, they finally took the chance to go ahead when Nguyen Thanh Sang slammed in the lead off a quick counter.
The goal sent into Black Steel into disarray and as they continued to struggle, Nguyen Phuc toe-poked the second goal in the 14th minute for Sanvinest to troop into their dressing room on a two-goal advantage.
Black Steel gave themselves a glimmer of hope just two minutes after the restart through Guntur Sulidtyo Ariwibowo, but that was to be all that they could muster.
With the silky skills of Holypaul Septinus Soumilena clamped down, Sanvinest took control of the game to score three further goals off Nguyen Anh Quy (31st and 38th minute) and Thanh Sang (37th) for the win.
In the meantime, Down Town Sport of Cambodia made a strong impression to their first game ever at the AFF Futsal Cup when they beat regulars Melaka United 5-4.
The Malaysian side had made a strong start when veteran Muhammad Ekmal Shahrin gave them the lead after just 20seconds.
But with Melaka United keeper Syahman Idris suspect, Down Town fought back with the equaliser just a minute later through Keo Cheatuo.
And it would seem that Melaka United tried hard to score to only allow Down Town a quick counter as a 17th minute goal from Muhammad Saad Sani was cancelled out by Rith Makara just two minutes later.
With the scored tied at 2-2 into the second half, Down Town then took the lead for the first time in the game off Ros Sichamrouen in the 27th minute.
Melaka then drew level off Muhammad Syazwan Ashraf Musa four minutes later as Down Town then restored their advantage on 33rd minute from Ros Sirotha.
At 4-3 to Down Town’s advantage, Melaka must have thought that they had a point in the bag when Najmi Rosli blasted in the equaliser with a minute still to play.
But obviously, Down Town had other ideas when Melaka’s Syahman was punished yet again off Heng Sokly finish.
“I could not be more proud of my players. They played well and hard,” said Down Town head coach Chet Chanrachana.
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RESULTS – 19 June 2019
Sanvinest Sanatech Khanh Hoa 5 Black Steel Manokwari 1
Down Town Sport 5 Melaka United 4
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FIXTURES – 20 June 2019
All matches at Terminal 21 Hall Korat
1400: PTT Chonburi Bluewave vs Sanvinest Sanatech Khanh Hoa
1600: MIU FC vs Down Town Sport
