PHNOM PENH (10 July 2016) – Vietnam and Singapore made a fabulous start to their campaign in Group A of the AFF Smart Under-16 Championship when they each overcame their opponents with relative ease to take control of the group.
Vietnam whitewashed Malaysia 3-0 to lead Group A while Singapore overcame the Philippines 3-1 at the National Olympic Stadium to take second spot.
In the other match that was played across town at the Army Stadium, Australia were lucky to escape with a 1-1 draw by a gritty Myanmar side.
Singapore were first to the pitch where after the early exchanges saw Rezza Rizky Ramadhani Yacobian slotting home the lead after 24 minutes for them to be 1-0 in front at the half.
Six minutes after the restart, Joel Chew doubled the advantage for Singapore as Muhammad Syahadat Masnawi then put the game beyond reach with the third goal of the game in the 64th minute.
Philippines pulled a goal back through captain Fidel Tacardon but it failed to ignite a revival as the score remained to the end.
In the meantime, Vietnam need not suffer such drama against the uninspired Malaysians where a robust start saw Nguyen Khac Khiem delivering the lead after just six minutes with a drive from inside the box.
The hapless Malaysian defence was punished yet again in the 68th minute through Nguyen Trong Long before Nguyen Huu Thang finished things off deep in injury time.
On the other hand, Australia were up against a gritty side from Myanmar who survived a relentless onslaught to take the lead through Hein Htet Aung in the 65th minute off a clever break from Win Naing Tun.
But the lead was to last just three minutes as Jacob Italiano then slammed in the equalising goal.
RESULTS
GROUP A
Myanmar 1 Australia 1
Philippines 1 Singapore 3
Malaysia 0 Vietnam 3
FIXTURES – 11 July 2016
GROUP B
(Both matches at the National Olympic Stadium)
1530: Brunei vs Timor Leste
1830: Cambodia vs Laos
Singapore (in all red) vs Philippines (in all blue)
Myanmar (in all red) vs Australia (in all yellow)
