NAYPYITAW (26 Aug 2013) – As expected, Australia won Group A of the AFF AYA Bank Under-16 Championship with a perfect record when they disposed of Vietnam 3-0 in their final group tie at the Wunna Theikdi Stadium.
The Aussies completed the group stage of the competition by scoring 29 goals and not even conceding even once making them the firm favourites for the title this year.
And while Vietnam tried hard to compete against the physically stronger Australians in the opening quarter, there was no denying them the lead in the 19th minute when some lackadaisical defending allowed Daniel Maskin to score off a freekick some 25metres out.
Maskin could have doubled Australia’s advantage in the 28th minute but his effort was cleared on the line by Vietnam keeper Nguyen Thanh Tung.
The game then got even more physical as had been anticipated but Thai referee Mongkolchai Pechsri was able to keep things under control on the pitch as well as at the bench when he gave out two yellow cards in the first half.
Into the final 45 minutes, Vietnam kept up the pressure with more physical play and right at the hour mark, Mongkolchai had little choice but to show Vietnam striker Back Hong Han his second yellow card of the game for a reckless challenge on Caio Godoy.
A man down, Vietnam seemed to have lost steam or the desire as six minutes later, Jackson Bandiera scored the second goal for Australia following the hardwork put in by Maskin.
Four minutes to the end, Bandiera was again on target, this time making good on a cross from Cameron Joice.
Group A Current Standings
