AFF FUTSAL: Malaysia out of contention

With Malaysia already out of contention, it has left a three-way fight in Group B with hosts Vietnam, Indonesia and Australia all having equal chance to make the cut to the next round of the AFF HDBank Futsal Championship that is currently on-going at the Phu Tho Stadium.

Hosts Vietnam were held to a scoreless draw by Indonesia today which meant that both teams have picked up four points each from one win and one draw.

Vietnam currently lead the standings on better goal difference and where they will complete their Group B fixtures tomorrow against Malaysia, who are already out of contention after conceding their second loss in as many matches.

“Both teams had some good chances to score but I felt that we were a little better than Indonesia on the day,” said Vietnam head coach Miguel Rodrigo. “Now we will play Malaysia next where if we can avoid a loss, we will be in the next round.”

Added Indonesia head coach Kensuke Takahashi: “both goalkeepers played pivotal roles for the results today. It was a very competitive game.”

In the meantime, Australia threw themselves a lifeline when they beat Malaysia 6-4 in their second game of the group.

Following from their loss to Vietnam yesterday, the Australians got off the block from the get-go as Grant Lynch slammed in the lead in less than a minute before adding his second in the 14^th minute.

Wade Giovenali (3^rd minute), Adam Cooper (6^th), Nathan Niski (18^th) and Jarrod Basger (38^th) all got on the scoresheet as the Malaysians staged a failed late revival.

Malaysia’s goals were scored off Gregory Giovenali’s own goal in the 20^th minute as Mohd Ridzwan Bakri’s hat trick (29th, 34^th and 38^th) put them close but not good enough to overhaul a win.

“The Malaysians were very good in the counter-attack and it took a lot from us to absorb the pressure. Now we have a chance for a place in the next round,” said Australia head coach Robert Valera.

On the other hand, Myanmar and Thailand stayed true to the form book as they each overcame their opponents with ease to set the decisive game tomorrow as to who will win Group A.

Myanmar thrashed Cambodia 13-3 as Thailand then followed it up with a 12-1 whipping of Timor Leste.

But Myanmar was served with a rude shock at the start of the tie when Keo Cheatuo blasted in the lead for Cambodia in the very first minute of play.

However, Myanmar rebounded well with a Nyein Min Soe equaliser just five minutes later to exert firm control of the game.

Aung Zin Oo was on target in the eighth and 27th minute as Myanmar then piled on the goals at will off a brace from Pyae Phyo Maung (13th and 14th minute) and then Hlaing Min Tun (22nd and 40th).

The other goals for Myanmar were scored by Kyaw Soe Moe (13th minute), Ko Ko Lwin (25th), Naing Ye Kyaw (26th), Wai Zin Oo (27th) and Pyae Phyo Maung (29th), including an own goal from Cheatuo in the 28th minute.

The other two goals for Cambodia were scored by Cheatuo in the 29th minute and then Sereyvong, a minute later.

“The battle will always be between us and Thailand,” said Myanmar team manager Kyi Myint Thein. “We have to be at our best and nothing less against the Thais.”

Thailand once again made a slow start to their game when Suphawut Thueanklang grabbed the opener in the sixth minute as Timor Leste started to feel the heat for Eufrasio Soares to concede an own goal moments later.

From then on, Thailand never looked back for Apiwat Chaemcharoen (8th minute), Ronnachai Jungwongsuk (8th and 28th), Jetsada Chudech (10th), Nattavut Madyalan (17th) and Watchara Laisri (22nd) making the scoresheet.

What made the win remarkable was the fact that wonderkid Mohamad Osamanmusa once again fired in a hat trick (20th, 30th and 40th minute) after having done so against Cambodia yesterday.

For Timor Leste, the match was always going to be overwhelming but they still managed to grab a consolation goal through Ilidio Nunes in the 14th minute.

“We made some changes as to how we played yesterday where we gave more time to some players and less to others,” said Thailand head coach Jose Mendez “It will be an important game tomorrow (against Myanmar) and we will have to be at our best.”

After two matches, Thailand and Myanmar are on the same six points although the former currently lead the standings on better goal difference.

RESULTS

Cambodia 3 Myanmar 13

Timor Leste 1 Thailand 12

Indonesia 0 Vietnam 0

Australia 6 Malaysia 4

FIXTURES – All matches at the Phu Tho Stadium

23 October 2019

1130: Thailand vs Myanmar

1400: Timor Leste vs Cambodia

1630: Indonesia vs Australia

1900: Malaysia vs Malaysia

CURRENT STANDINGS

GROUP A 

GROUP B 

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