AFF WOMEN: Heavy defeat for Malaysia in final game of Group A

The Malaysian women’s national team suffered a heavy defeat against hosts Thailand when they fell to a 7-0 loss in the final game of Group A of the AFF Women’s Championship 2019 at the Institute of Physical Education here.

With the win, Thailand will take on Myanmar in the semifinals in two days as the Philippines – who emerged as the runners-up from the group – will play Vietnam.

“There was no point in being defensive as we were playing against a World Cup side,” said Malaysian assistant coach Kok Keng Lin. “The girls played hard and they tried to play against Thailand. That was important. They never gave up and I thought they played well.” 

The Malaysians, who needed to win their last game in the group by beating FIFA World Cup side Thailand by a whopping 13 goals, did not have the best of start when they found themselves done in after just two minutes.

In the confusion of a cross from the right, Pengngam Saowalak stabbed the ball home for the lead as her header twelve minutes later following a block from Malaysian keeper Nurul Azurin Mazlan doubled the advantage for the home team.

The Malaysians tried to make a game of it as they were far from being defensive but it was obvious that it was going to take a lot to play against the defending champions.

The Thais would close the first half by adding three more goals through Waenngoen Orapin in the 26^th minute, Pengngam (35^th) and then Saengchan Khwanrudi (43^rd).

Saengchan then added Thailand’s sixth goal through Saenchan’s header as Pengngam then completed the rout with her fourth goal of the game four minutes to the end.

RESULTS – 23 August 2019

GROUP A

Singapore 0 Philippines 4

Thailand 7 Malaysia 0

FINAL GROUP STANDINGS

GROUP A

 GROUP B

• Teams in bold qualify for semifinals

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