YANGON (17 Sept 2011) – Malaysia took the runners-up spot from Group A when they blasted the Philippines 6-0 in the final group match of the AFF Under-19 Championship 2011 that was played this afternoon at the Youth Training Centre.
Needing to at least a draw to ensure that they advance into the semi-finals ahead of Cambodia, the Malaysians came out will all guns blazing to take a comfortable 4-0 lead at the break.
They then added two more goals in the second half to ensure their passage into the next round behind group winners Thailand.
“I’m satisfied that we have accomplished our mission in making the semi-finals. Against Vietnam, it is a totally different game and we will have to strategize for it,” said Ismail Ibrahim, the chief coach of Malaysia.
“I think that the players have learnt their lesson from the loss to Thailand and where it has made them more determined to do better against a side like Vietnam in the semi-finals.”
As early as second minute, Malaysia were already in front when off a free kick from Muhammad Shafiq Azman, striker Muhammad Akmal Ishak kneed the ball in past Philippines goalkeeper Nicholas O’Donnell.
Akmal then doubled Malaysia’s lead with his second goal of the afternoon off a cross from Mohamad Ridzuan Abdunloh Pula with an exquisite back flick.
The Philippines then fell further behind in the 18th minute off an own goal from Joseph Bellezon before the Malaysians wrapped up the first half with the fourth goal on 38 minute off Mohamad Syafiq.
“The gap between us and Malaysia and Thailand is obvious but I cannot ask more from my players as they have given 100% in this game,” added Maor Rozen, the chief coach of the Philippines.
“This tournament has given a good experience to these set of players and they will learn for sure.”
The remainder of Malaysia’s goals were scored by Mohamad Ridzuan in the 51st minute and Muhammad Akram Mahinan in the 60th minute.
At the Aung San Stadium, Thailand possessed too much firepower for the young Lions to try and extinguish. Despite their best efforts from the whistle, Singapore were unable to muster enough power to beat the Thais and hope they would be able to sneak into the semis, provided Malaysia suffered an unexpected loss to Philippines. Thailand won 3-0.
To their credit, Singapore battled hard and controlled the game until the 19th minute when Vittaya Niamhom crashed in a grounder from the top of the box into the far corner. Singapore keeper Syed Mifdhal Al-Idrus Syed Mohamed leapt to the left but was unable to stop the shot.
Just before the break, Thailand delivered a crushing blow on their opponents when striker Athit Wisetsilpa doubled the score. Athit sealed the win for the Thais in the 64th minute to finish the group unbeaten and with maximum points.
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 0 INDONESIA 10 / LAOS 0 MYANMAR 1
15 SEPT: CAMBODIA 1 SINGAPORE 1 / PHILIPPINES 0 THAILAND 5
16 Sept: VIETNAM 4 LAOS 0 / INDONESIA 0 MYANMAR 1
17 Sept: MALAYSIA 6 PHILIPPINES 0 / SINGAPORE 0 THAILAND 3
18 Sept: Rest Day
19 Sept: Thailand vs Myanmar (1530) / Vietnam vs Malaysia (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 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 0 | 14 | 12 |
| Malaysia | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 12 | 1 | 11 | 7 |
| Cambodia | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 9 | -3 | 5 |
| Singapore | 4 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 11 | -9 | 2 |
| Philippines | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 17 | -13 | 1 |
Group B
| TEAM |
P |
W | D | L | F | A | GD | PTS |
| Vietnam | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 18 | 2 | 16 | 10 |
| Myanmar | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 1 | 8 | 10 |
| Indonesia | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 14 | 10 | 4 | 4 |
| Laos | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 10 | 8 | 2 | 4 |
| Brunei DS | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 28 | -28 | 0 |
