The Australian Under-20 team made a bright start to their Group A campaign of the AFF Women’s Championship when they pummeled Thailand 3-0 this evening at the Thong Stadium.
Using mostly players from the university league with a smattering of players from the senior side, Thailand just could not make it count with the chances that were created through the likes of Naphat Seesraum and also Nisa Romyen.
And while Australia were absorbing much of the pressure in the first half, the second turned up to be different all together.
Sustained pressure well into the Thai box, saw defender Pikul Khueanpet gave up a penalty that was converted by captain Amy Harrison.
As Thailand began to falter, the change for livewire Sunisa Srangthaisong failed to ignite their game as Australia punished them even further in the 78th minute when substitute Princess Ibini-Isei ran down the flank for a cross that was met by Beatrice Goad.
And seven minutes to the end, Emma Checker latched on to a corner to complete the humiliation for the Thais.
“The performance is much more important than the results,” said Australian coach Ante Juric afterwards. “I thought that Thailand had a good game.”
IN THE MEANTIME, a much-improved Indonesia provided sterner opposition for Laos when they fell to just a 2-0 defeat in the second match of Group A of the AFF Women’s Championship here at the Thong Stadium.
A lot more composed and definitely a lot more organized, Indonesia were more enthusiastic at the start but just could not put a lid on the speedy Vannida Soukpanhya.
And it took her just ten minutes to run past the Indonesian defence before beating her marker Idea Rifki Agustin with an incisive shot that had keeper Vera Lestari well-beaten.
But Indonesia were not at all over-awed as they poured forward through the hardwork of Tugiyati and also Erma Novela Sabatin Karafir.
Two minutes into the second half, Noum Angmansongsa converted a penalty to double the advantage for Laos.
RESULTS – 1 May 2015
Thailand 0 Australia U20 3
Indonesia 0 Laos 2
