BANGKOK (26 August 2014) – Thailand emerged triumphant in the AFF Under-19 Women’s Championship when they beat Vietnam 5-3 on penalties in the final that was played at the Rajamangala Stadium this evening.
The score at the end of regulation was 0-0 where under the tournament rules meant that the outcome of the match will have to be decided from the penalty spot.
“This team has been shaped by the FA of Thailand (FAT) after they finished fourth in the AFC U16 Championship last year when they lost to China,” said Thai coach Nuengrutai Srathongvian afterwards.
“The rain affected the quality of play, it disrupted our usual game.
“We have reached our target in this tournament which was to win it. We are preparing this group of players to take over the senior side in the next two years.”
Perhaps having picked up some lessons from their 2-1 loss to the hosts in the group tie earlier, Vietnam were a lot more organised at the back where they defended in numbers.
They prevented Thailand from just a few paltry shots in the first half as centrebacks Le Thi Thu and Le Thi Diem My played pivotal roles in keeping a close tab on the Thai forwards.
Thailand were to finish the first half with a sublime cross from deep which saw Sirintip Thongmai running in from the left for a shot that although had Vietnam keeper Tran Thi Hai Yen beaten, came off the upright instead.
The second half saw both teams not letting anything go as Vietnam continued to be disciplined at the heart of defence where they relied on quick counter-attacks to frustrate the homesters.
The trio of Nguyen Kim Anh, Hoang Thi Muoi and Le Thi Thuy Trang had a great scoring opportunity in the closing stages of the second half to break the deadlock but the rain seemed to have taken too much out of them as they failed to make it past Thai custodian Nattharucha Muthanawet.
In the penalty shootout, it was Thailand who went first and with the cheer from the stands, gave them all the confidence for Wanwisa Tuket, Sudarat Chuchuen, Methawi Upapong, Jiraporn Mongkoldee and Mutita Senkram to convert from the spot.
For Vietnam, Tran Thi Kam Anh and Bien Thi Hang were on target. But a weak shot from Le Thi Diem My gave Thailand the upper hand to finish things off despite Nguyen Thi Thuy Huong converting hers.
“Hard luck, hard luck,” exclaimed Vietnam coach Nguyen Duy Hung. “It was anybody’s game in the penalties.”
AFF UNDER-19 WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP
RESULTS
FINAL: Thailand 0 Vietnam 0 (Thailand win 5-3 on penalties)
THIRD/FOURTH PLACING: Myanmar 5 Singapore 0
