It was a day of comebacks in Group B of the AFF Under-16 Girls’ Championship here in Palembang as Thailand and Laos fought back from a goal down to win their respective matches.
Thailand blasted hosts Indonesia 4-1 as Laos edged Cambodia 3-1.
It was Indonesia who went ahead first in the game through Jasmine Sefia Waynie Cahyono at the Bumi Sriwijaya Stadium.
That goal provoked the Thais into action and it did not take them too long to grab the equaliser off Supapron in the 22nd minute as Chattaya Pratumkal then made sure that they finished the half on top with the second goal six minutes later.
Pluemjai Sonsawat then nailed the third goal for Thailand in the 67th minute before Suchada Khamjaroen put the finishing touch on 74 minutes.
In the meantime at the Athletic Jaka Baring 1, Laos were also in fine form as they fought back from a goal down as early as the fourth minute when Cambodian Raksmey fired in from 20metres out to win the tie with three fabulous goals in the second half.
Inthida Khounsy picked up a through pass in the 43rd minute to slip it past Cambodian keeper Muoykanha for the equaliser.
As the Cambodian girls began to tire, Laos notched two quick goals – Khounsy in the 65th minute and then a solo effort from Pe Pe just two minutes later – for the full points.
“I thought that we were quite lucky today,” said Laos head coach Phonethip Sengany. “I am proud that could they could score in the second half. I hope that they will bring it to the next match.”
Replied Cambodian head coach Meas Sam Oeurn: “We are two levels below Laos. At least half of our players are U14 and we did not have a lot of time to prepare the team.”
AFF UNDER-16 GIRLS’ CHAMPIONSHIP
RESULTS (Group B)
Thailand 4 Indonesia 1
Cambodia 1 Laos 3
FIXTURES (Group A)
3 May 2018 (Kick off at 1600hrs)
Malaysia vs Philippines (Bumi Sriwijaya)
Singapore vs Vietnam (Athletic Jaka Baring 1)
