A 2-2 draw against MIC FC from Myanmar was enough for East Coast heat FC from Australia to win Group A of the AFF Futsal Club Championship following the final rounds of matches here at the GOR UNY in Jogjakarta.
At the start of the game, both East Coast Heat and MIC have already booked their places in the semi-finals of the championship this year with the former leading the standings on better goal difference.
The decisive game in the group was close indeed at the start as both East Coast and MIC exchanging blows with neither able to make any headways at the start.
The deadlock was finally broken in the 14th minute when Daniel Fornito burst through to score as MIC had to be content lagging behind 1-0 at the break.
But just three minutes after the breather, MIC finally replied through the prolific Pyae Phyo Maung.
The game got physical with some untimely challenges as East Coast then regained the advantage right the hour mark with Daniel Fulton stabbing home.
But Myanmar were not finished yet and with just a minute left in the game, Khin Zaw Linn fired in the second equaliser for both teams to share points.
In the meantime, Arbisyam FC of Brunei picked up their first win in Group A when they set aside UYFC Komchaymear 7-6 in a close encounter.
Both teams are already out of contention for place in the semi-finals after losing their first two matches in the group.
“It was a really good experience for us,” said Arbisyam head coach Suzeemin Mohd Taib.
“The first two matches were tough as we were still adjusting, but in the third match today, we showed our normal game. It has been a god tournament where we hope that we can come and play again next year.”
Muhammad Radhi Radian grabbed a hat-trick with goals in the second, 31st and 37th minute as Nazirul Haziq Adeni pounced a brace in the 16th and 39th minute.
Arbisyam’s other goals were scored by Syazwan Hassan in the 12th minute and Muhd Azizul Syafiee Arifin in the 20th minute.
In the meantime, Komchaymear had a brace each from Hong Sophanhawadd (5th and 32nd minute), San Savontharo (13th and 40th) and Eung Slauth (19th and 36th) to show for their final game in the group.
RESULTS
GROUP A
Arbisyam FC (BRUNEI) 7 UYFC Khomchaymear (CAMBODIA) 6
East Coast Heat FC 2 (AUSTRALIA) MIC FC (MYANMAR) 2
