AFF U16: OWN GOAL DENIES MALAYSIA WIN OVER THAIS

VIENTIANE (7 July 2011) – Malaysia were denied the first three points in Group A of the AFF Under-16 Championship here at the National Stadium when an own goal saw them settling for a 2-2 draw against Thailand.
 
With the Thais being the early aggressor, they were the first to take the lead in the 22nd minute when Supravee Miprathang unleashed a curling shot to the far post to beat Mohd Mursyidin Maudoode.

Unperturbed, the Malaysians did not lose shape and through the excellent work of Muhammad Fitri Mohd Ismail down the flank, his play back allowed Muhammad Amirul Syafieq Mohd Isa Sham to score at the half hour.

The score at the half was 1-1.

After the break, both teams made several changes to their line-up but with the midfield battle going nowhere, the score line remain unchanged until the 70th minute when off Muhammad Fitri again, Muhammad Hakimi Hussin blasted in the rebound.

But just when the Malaysians thought that they had it in the bag, a freekick for Thailand right at the end saw Malaysian defender Mohd Amirul Hafizul Samsol heading the ball back into his own net for both teams to share the spoils.

“I’m happy with the result nonetheless. It was great of the players to come back from being a goal down,” said Khalid Shahdan, the chief coach of Malaysia.

“At least, we won one point today. What’s important is that now the players show consistency for the next game (against Indonesia).”

Thai coach Sasom Pobpraset was not at all pleased with the end result.

“Their level of concentration is still not where it should be. But that is to be expected with young players,” added Sasom.

“The draw is okay but we should go for the full points the next time.”

Group A – Laos, Thailand, Malaysia, Timor Leste, Indonesia

Group B – Myanmar, Vietnam, Singapore, Cambodia, Philippines