YANGON (13 Sept 2011) – Malaysia revived their campaign for a place in the semi-finals of the AFF Under-19 Championship 2011 when they beat Singapore 6-0 while Thailand whitewashed Cambodia 5-0 to take control of Group A.
After being held scoreless by Cambodia in their first match and then losing 1-0 to the Thais, the Malaysians needed to improve their game for a chance to finish second in Group A and a place in the next round.
And that was precisely what they did at the Aung San Stadium as they played a more disciplined game to score three goals in each half.
“It was definitely a better performance although I’m still not satisfied with a few individuals could have done better,” said Ismail Ibrahim, the chief coach of Malaysia.
“Now, we will just have to make sure that we win our last game (against the Philippines) to make sure of our place in the semi-finals.”
Pressing right from the start, the Malaysians carved their first goal of the game in the ninth minute when they took advantage of some hesitant Singapore defending for Muhammad Akmal Ishak to score.
Singapore then replied with an effort of their own two minutes later but striker Muhammad Danial Razali took just a tad too long with his attempt as Malaysian defender Mohamad Ashmawi Yaking raced for the clearance.
In the 21st minute, Singapore fell further behind when Muhammad Akram Mahinan slammed in the rebounder before scoring his second and Malaysia’s third in the 36th minute.
“This game was the players’ second international game and the Malaysians really showed how it’s done. But credit to the boys as they really tried very hard to be competitive,” said Mohamad Akbar Abdul Nawas, the chief coach of Singapore.
“There’s no choice for us but to win our last two games (against Thailand and Cambodia).”
Malaysia’s other goals were scored by Mohamad Ridzuan Abdunloh Pula in the 47th minute and a double from Muhammad Akhir Bahari (89th and 90th minute).
Meanwhile, at the Youth Training Centre, Thailand took control of Group A when they beat Cambodia 5-0.
As early as third minute, Jaturong Pimkoon opened account for the Thais before adding their second goal of the game off Ithiphon Yotphrom in the 39th minute. With the score 2-0 to their advantage, Thailand stepped up their game after the break for Narubadin Weerawatnodom (48th minute), Nitipong Selanon (84th) and Chalongchai Pothong (90th) to add to the scoreline.
GROUPINGS
Group A: Thailand, Singapore, Philippines, Malaysia, Cambodia
Group B: Myanmar, Indonesia, Laos, Vietnam, Brunei DS
RESULTS and FIXTURES
8 Sept: LAOS 3 INDONESIA 3 / BRUNEI DS 0 VIETNAM 7
9 Sept: PHILIPPINES 1 SINGAPORE 1 / CAMBODIA 0 MALAYSIA 0
10 Sept: VIETNAM 1 MYANMAR 1 / BRUNEI DS 0 LAOS 7
11 SEPT: MALAYSIA 0 THAILAND 1 / CAMBODIA 5 PHILIPPINES 3
12 Sept: MYANMAR 6 BRUNEI DS 0 / INDONESIA 1 VIETNAM 6
13 Sept: THAILAND 5 CAMBODIA 0 / SINGAPORE 0 MALAYSIA 6
14 Sept: Brunei DS vs Indonesia (1530, Aung San Stadium) / Laos vs Myanmar (1530, Youth Training Centre)
15 Sept: Cambodia vs Singapore (1530, Youth Training Centre) / Philippines vs Thailand (1530, Aung San Stadium)
16 Sept: Vietnam vs Laos (1530, Aung San Stadium) / Indonesia vs Myanmar (1530, Youth Training Centre)
17 Sept: Malaysia vs Philippines (1530, Youth Training Centre) / Singapore vs Thailand (1530, Aung San Stadium)
18 Sept: Rest Day
19 Sept: Winner A vs Runner-up B (1530) / Winner B vs Runner-up A (1810)
20 Sept: Rest Day
21 Sept: 3rd/4th Placing (1530) / Final (1810)
TABLE STANDING
Group A
| TEAM |
P |
W | D | L | F | A | GD | PTS |
| Thailand | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 6 | 6 |
| Malaysia | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Cambodia | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 8 | -3 | 4 |
| Philippines | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 6 | -2 | 1 |
| Singapore | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 7 | -6 | 1 |
Group B
| TEAM |
P |
W | D | L | F | A | GD | PTS |
| Vietnam | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 14 | 2 | 12 | 7 |
| Laos | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 10 | 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Myanmar | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 1 | 6 | 4 |
| Indonesia | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 9 | -5 | 1 |
| Brunei DS | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 18 | -18 | 0 |
