FUTSAL CLUB: Three-way battle in Group B

It’s a three-way battle in Group B of the AFF Futsal Club Invitational Championship with three teams still having equal chances to make the cut for the semi-finals of the championship this year.

With Vientiane Capital FC of Laos already out of the running for a place in th next round following their double losses, the fight tomorrow will be down to Sanna Khanh Hoa of Vietnam, East Coast Heat of Australia and also Melaka United of Malaysia.

Sanna Khanh Hoa bounced back from their 1-1 draw against Melaka United yesterday to blast Vientiane Capital 9-2 for their first full points of the competition.

Nguyen Quoc Bao         grabbed a brace with goals in the 1^st and 33^rd minute to be followed by goals from Nghia Eban (3^rd), Nguyen Nho (4^th), Phan Khac Chi (19^th), Mai Thanh Dat (21^st), Tran Quang Toan (26^th), Tran Van Thanh (30^th) and Nguyen Thanh Hung (35^th).

Vientiane’s two goals came via Phoumiphonh Detxomphou in the 12^th minute and Khampha Phiphakkhavong (39^th).

The win today saw Sanna Khanh Hoa taking over the top spot in Group B with four points following East Coast Heat’s exhilarating 3-3 draw against Melaka United.

East Coast Heat, who had escaped with a 4-3 win over Vientiane Capital yesterday for their first three points, were slower off the block on the day as they allowed Melaka to take a 2-1 lead at the break off goals from Khairul Effendy Mohd Bahrin (3^rd minute) and Akmarulnizam Mohd Idris 19^th).

But that one goal from Laureano Andres Castro just before the end of the first half would proved pivotal as East Coast then turned on the heat into the second half to score twice – Jordan Guerreiro (27^th minute) and Christopher Zeballos (30^th) – and put Melaka under pressure.

However, Melaka’s persistence to remain in contention paid off right at the death when Mohd Khairul fired in from close range for his second of the night and his team’s all important equaliser.

With the draw, East Coast Heat will have to battle Sanna Khanh Hoa tomorrow for a place in the next round while Melaka United will have an easier tie against Vientiane Capital.

RESULTS – GROUP B

4 July 2017

SANA KHANH HOA beat VIENTIANE UNITED 9-2

MELAKA UNITED drew with EAST COAST HEAT 3-3

FIXTURES – GROUP B

5 July 2017

1215: EAST COAST HEAT vs SANNA KHANH HOA

1815: VIENTIANE UNITED vs MELAKA UNITED

CURRENT STANDINGS (as at 4 July 2017)

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