VIENTIANE (17 July 2011) – The semi-finals of the AFF Under-16 Youth Championship will be close, making it too tough to call who will make the final of this year’s championship.
Thailand will take on Singapore in the first semi-final tie while Myanmar will entertain hosts Laos in the second match – hoping that they can deliver an upset in front of the home fans.
Being a youth tournament and a developmental as well as preparatory meet for the AFC qualifiers in September, consistency is a factor which is still foreign to these four teams.
And this is one area which they will need to work on, at least for the next 90 minutes of their playing time here.
Sasom Proprasert, the chief coach of Thailand: “the semi-final will be a hard game for sure. But we are confident even though we will have to accommodate the suspension of Supravee (Miprathang). We will make a slight change to the tactical play.”
Dejan Gluscevic, the chief coach of Singapore: “I’m happy that the players are playing to their ability and that is what we should continue to be doing. Consistency is an issue with young players. I’m actually surprised with the quality of football being played in this tournament.”
Marko Koscina, the chief coach of Myanmar: “I think that a lot of teams have under estimated us. But I believe that we have yet to show our true colours and after the win over Vietnam yesterday, I think that we will be a lot better tomorrow against the hosts (Laos).”
Han Hyong Il, the chief coach of Laos: “we need to work more as a team, that will be crucial to our game plan. The players are under pressure playing at home but they should learn to control their emotions and not let what happen at the stand affects them.”
PIX: Team managers meeting of the four semi-finalists this morning
AFF UNDER-16 YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIP
FIXTURES
18 July 2011 – All matches at the National Stadium
1700hrs – Thailand vs Singapore
1900hrs – Myanmar vs Laos
