AFF FUTSAL: Thais reel in 16 goals as Aussies strike nine times

SHAH ALAM (20 Sept 2014) – Defending champions Thailand and Australia, runners-up in the last AFF Futsal Championship, proved they were the teams for all to look out for after both recorded convincing opening victories this morning. Thailand out-played the Philippines 16-1 while Australia whipped Timor Leste 9-0 at the Malawati Stadium here on the second day of the AFF Futsal Championship.

JetsadaChudech emerged the topscorer today with four goals while WanlopPansomsua blasted a hattrick in Thailand’s lop-sided win. Australia’s Jordan Aaron Guerreiro struck the first hattrick of the tournament in the earlier match against Timor Leste.

Thailand, the favourites to win here despite missing several key players that featured in the World Cup Futsal, stormed to a 7-1 lead at the halftime. They struck four goals in the first ten minutes through PiyapanRatana (2^nd), AtiratSittisak (3^rd), KittipongSonsuwan (5^th) and WanlopPansomsua (7^th).

The Thais added three more from Atirat (11^th), JetsadaChudech (19^th) and SorsakPoonjangreed (20^th) before heading to the locker rooms. The Philippines squeezed one in through Robert OmbleroCaneda in the seventh minute.

When the second half started, it was obvious that Thailand were not satisfied with the comfortable first-half lead and wanted much more. By the end of the next 20 minutes, Thailand reeled in another nine goals. The Philippines tried their best but the Thais were simply too good today.

The second half goals were netted by Wanlop( 24^th, 26^th), Jetsada (29^th, 38^th, 40^th), Konghla Lakka (30^th), Sorasak (34^th), KawinWiboonratchakit (37^th) and PinayatNusaya (38^th).

The victory was Thailand’s first in Group B while it was the Philippines first loss after they shared points with Laos yesterday.

In the earlier match this morning, Guerreiro’shattrick steered Australia to a smashing 9-0 victory over Timor Leste in a Group A tie of the AFF Futsal Championship this morning.  It was a sensational start for Australia, who were runners-up in the last AFF Futsal, in this tournament.

Australia sealed the win in the first half when they led 4-0 at halftime. Guerreiro then came alive and blasted his hattrickto ensure full points for the Aussies. Timor Leste, who defeated Brunei 2-0 in their opening match yesterday, were unable to match the speedy Australians.

It took just two minutes for Australia to break down the Timor Lestedefence. Tobias Guang Hua Seeto was the first to get his name on the scoresheet and this was followed by Daniel Steven Fogarty in the 12^th minute.

Before the break, Australia added two more goals through Clayton Charles Musumeci and Jordan Mundell in the 15^th and 18^th minutes.

The Aussies were not quite done and made every effort to extend the score. Just three minutes into the second half and Australia were celebrating their fifth goal when Wade Matthew Giovenali broke through.

Guerreiro snatched two quick goals in the 25^th and 27^th and completed his hattrick in the 35^th minute. Just prior to Guerreiro’s third goal, Jordan squeezed in his second goal of the match in the 33^rd minute.