PHNOM PENH (3 Aug 2015) – Australia strolled into the semi-finals of the AFF BIDC Under-16 Championship today when they crushed Myanmar 4-0 on the third match day of Group B here at the National Olympic Stadium.
The Australians, who had thrashed hosts Cambodia by the same score line in the first game of the group and then overwhelmed Singapore 8-2 two days ago, were just in devastating form.
Just seven minutes in, Australia chalked up their first goal of the game when an unmarked Ramy Najjarine inside the box just placed the ball beyond the reach of keeper Htet Wai Yan Soe.
Lachland Brook then doubled the advantage in the 16th minute with a firing shot from the edge of the Myanmar as Adrian Valenti then came barrelling down the left flank to punish Yan Soe for the third time three minutes later.
Three goals up, Australia went into the second half on confident mode as they did just enough to protect their lead before adding the fourth goal of the game right at the end through Marc Moric.
With the win, Australia maintained their perfect record with nine points from three matches played and is certain to win Group B as they look to wrap up their group with a game against the Philippines in two days.
The loss for Myanmar meant that they will head into the final game of the group the same day against hosts Cambodia to decide who will earn the other ticket from the group to the next round.
Australia vs Myanmar
Cambodia vs Singapore
Before the start of the Cambodia vs Singapore match
Cambodia vs Singapore
In the meantime, Cambodia were not too disappointed with their scoreless draw against Singapore.
The one point puts them within striking distance of a place in the semi-finals provided they can overcome Myanmar in their final game of the group.
After three matches in the group, Myanmar are on second with six points from two wins and one loss.
Cambodia are third with four points from one win and one draw.
“We are very sorry that we could not win the game for the more than 30,000 fans who had come to watch the game tonight,” said Cambodian coach Iki Yusuke.
“But we still have another game to play (against Myanmar) and we must win it.”
AFF BIDC U16 CHAMPIONSHIP
RESULTS
Brunei DS 0 Laos 2
Australia 4 Myanmar 0
Cambodia 0 Singapore 0
FIXTURES
4 August 2015
1530 – Thailand vs Brunei DS (Army Stadium)
1530 – Malaysia vs Laos (National Olympic Stadium)
1830 – Vietnam vs Timor Leste (National Olympic Stadium)
GROUP A Current Standings
| No | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
| 1 | Laos | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 4 | +4 | 10 |
| 2 | Thailand | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 2 | +6 | 9 |
| 3 | Malaysia | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 6 | -2 | 6 |
| 4 | Vietnam | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 8 | 6 | +2 | 4 |
| 5 | Timor Leste | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 9 | -2 | 4 |
| 6 | Brunei | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 11 | -8 | 1 |
GROUP B Current Standings
| No | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
| 1 | Australia | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 2 | +14 | 9 |
| 2 | Myanmar | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 5 | +1 | 6 |
| 3 | Cambodia | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | -3 | 4 |
| 4 | Singapore | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 12 | -5 | 4 |
| 5 | Philippines | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 8 | -7 | 0 |
