SURABAYA (17 Sept 2013) – Timor Leste topped the standings after they won their last AFF Under-19 group match against the Philippines 2-1 at the Petrokimia Gresik Stadium tonight. As the group winners, Timor Leste have avoided Group A leaders Vietnam and will face either hosts Indonesia or Malaysia in the semifinals.
Timor Leste completed their group stage matches unbeaten, winning three games and sharing points with Singapore in their opening game of the tournament. Laos, who lost to Timor Leste, ended second with nine points and will have the privilege of facing Vietnam in the semifinals.
Cambodia, who defeated Singapore 3-2 in an earlier tie today, are third with six points. Singapore are fourth with four points while the Philippines were fifth.
In Gresik tonight, Timor Leste started without several key players including their skipper Nataniel Reis and fellow striker Henrique Martins. Despite this, they snapped to a two-goal lead at the break with goals coming from Carlos Magno and Jose Almeida in the 26th and 44th minutes.
After the break, the Philippines reduced the gap through Junell Bautista in the 51st minute. That goal fired them up and they attacked in waves which probably had the Timor officials worried. If the game ended in a draw, Timor would finish second and have to face mighty Vietnam. But they made some changes to strengthen the team and managed to hang on to the end.
Meanwhile in the other match tonight, Cambodia initially took the lead through Nub Tola in the 49th minute but Singapore drew level just six minutes later when Muhammad Muhelmy found the mark.
Singapore grabbed the lead in the 75th minute when Muhammad Hazim Faiz scored from the spot but six minutes on, it was Cambodia’s turn to equalise through Neth Veasna. With seven minutes remaining, Nub Tola took his chances well and struck the winner.
RESULTS – Group A
Philippines 1 Timor Leste 2
Cambodia 3 Singapore 2
Group A Final Standings
| Teams |
P |
W |
D |
L |
GF |
GA |
GD |
PTS |
| Timor Leste |
4 |
3 |
1 |
0 |
9 |
4 |
5 |
10 |
| Laos |
4 |
3 |
0 |
1 |
10 |
6 |
4 |
9 |
| Cambodia |
4 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
10 |
9 |
1 |
6 |
| Singapore |
4 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
6 |
8 |
-2 |
4 |
| Philippines |
4 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
4 |
12 |
-8 |
0 |
*Teams in bold qualify for semi-finals
