AFF WOMEN’S: Thais win big; Malaysia edge Cambodia

It was not pretty and Timor Leste’s plan to park the bus certainly worked up to a point. But against the defending champions Thailand, it was always going to be tough.

And in the end, the 8-0 defeat to the Thais gave some measure of relief to the Timorese who had went down by a dozen goals in their first match in Group A two days earlier.

“It was a good start. But playing against such a defensive team was always going to be tough,” said Thailand head coach Nuengrutai Srathongvian.

“We know that some of the other teams are very well prepared for this tournament, so we are taking it a game at a time.”

An own from Maria Da Concieco early in the seventh minute did not bode confidence where Timor Leste went on to concede two more goals off  Kanjana Sung-Ngoen (16^th minute penalty) and Rattikan Thongsombut (18^th) for a 3-0 lead at the half.

The change for Pitsamai Sornsai at the break gave some pace to the Thai frontline when she blasted the fourth Thai goal in the 49^th minute.

Pitsamai went on to score three more goals (57th,, 71^st and 80^th) as Rattikan Thongsombut then contributed the other on 51 minute of play.

Thailand will take on Cambodia in their next match in two days while Timor Leste will play the Under-20 Australian team.

In the meantime, Malaysia bounced back from their first game defeat to beat Cambodia 4-0 for their first win of the competition.

The Malaysians had conceded a 7-0 loss to the Under-20 team of Australia two days ago.

“The plan was to keep possession as much as we can and not lose the ball unnecessarily,” said Malaysian head coach Jacob Joseph.

“But I am still worried about the defence and also the midfield. They don’t pressure the opponents enough and that is something which we need to work on for the next match.”

An own goal from Cambodia early in the fifth minute set the tone for the remainder of the tie as the Malaysian girls grew in confidence.

A freekick from Norhanisa Wahya was flicked into goal by Cambodia keeper Kory Muoykanha as she attempted to keep the ball away from the onrushing Malaysian strikers.

Malaysia then conceded to control much of the first half although Cambodian striker Yon Yeurn could do with the chances she had.

Cambodian came out stronger after the break but it was to be Malaysia who found the back of the net again in the 58^th minute when striker Norsuriani Mazli ran down the right before blasting in from a tight angle.

She then grabbed her second of the night in the 77^th minute heading in the corner from Fedalliah Jalmin.

Two minutes later, Haindee Mosroh completed the scoreline with the fourth goal of the game off a solo effort.

The only blot in the match was the red card on Noor Mianah Balanting, who picked up a second yellow card in the game which referee Bui Thi Thu Trang had little choice but to eject her from the game.

Her first yellow was early in the seventh minute.

AFF WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP

RESULTS – Group A

Timor Leste 0 Thailand 8

Cambodia 0 Malaysia 4

FIXTURES – All matches at Jaka Baring Stadium

3 July 2018 – Group B

1600: Indonesia vs Vietnam

1900: Singapore vs Philippines

Table Standings

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