BANGKOK (22 August 2014) – It was always going to be close. And in the end, the 2-1 score line in favour of hosts Thailand over Vietnam was just about the right outcome of a fiercely contested affair in the AFF Under-19 Women’s Championship this evening at the Rajamangala Stadium.
Even Vietnam coach Nguyen Duy Hung was in admission when he said that his team made far too many mistakes in a game which both teams have an even chance of winning full points.
“Thailand played better on the day and they deserved to win,” said Duy Hung. “I’m certainly not happy with the way we played where we made many mistakes.
“It was a very good, entertaining match between the two teams and it was quite close right to the end.”
It was Thailand who dictated the early pace with Orawan Keereesuwannakul pulling the action from midfield as they attacked from both flanks to put pressure on the Vietnam backline.
And their hardwork paid off early in the 12th minute when off a freekick right at the edge of the Vietnam box, Sudarat Chuchuen floated in a cross which went over the left side of the wall beyond the reach of keeper Tran Thi Hai Yen.
But just as soon as the Thai girls went in front, they soon seem to have lost steam as they allowed Vietnam the chance to go forward. With more possession and with more confidence, Vietnam soon gained foothold into the last quarter of the pitch to finally crack open the Thai defense.
Off a cross from Bui Tro Trang on the right in the 23rd minute, the failure of Thai keeper Nattarucha Muthanawet to make a clean save allowed the waiting Le Hoai Luong to slot the ball home.
With the score tied at the half, Thailand were more aggressive going into the second half and just six minutes in, a low cross into the Vietnam box allowed Sirintip Thongmai to run in with the ball to score what would turn out to be the winner.
Vietnam tried hard to get back into the game as they search for the equaliser but Thailand were more determined defensively as they defended further up field.
“We made some mistakes in the first half, but we recovered in the second,” said Thai coach Nuengrutai Sratongvian.
“It was a good result between these two rivals. So for our next match (against Singapore), we will rest a few of our key players to prepare for the final.”
AFF UNDER-19 WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP
RESULTS
Timor Leste 0 Myanmar 16
Thailand 2 Vietnam 1
FIXTURES
24 August 2014 (All matches at the Rajamangala Stadium)
Singapore vs Thailand (1600)
Myanmar vs Vietnam (1900)
CURRENT STANDINGS
| No | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
| 1 | THAILAND | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 22 | 1 | +21 | 9 |
| 2 | VIETNAM | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 30 | 2 | +28 | 6 |
| 3 | MYANMAR | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 26 | 3 | +23 | 6 |
| 4 | SINGAPORE | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 20 | -16 | 3 |
| 5 | TIMOR LESTE | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 56 | -56 | 0 |
