VIENTIANE (24 Oct 2011) – Thailand, despite being one of the top teams in the region, will be aiming for their first-ever AFF Women’s Championship title which has eluded them twice before.
“We want to show that we are the best team in the region and to do that we have to win this championship,” said Piyakul Kawnamkang, the chief coach of Thailand.
But Myanmar, the underdogs here this year, could just spoil the Thai party and re-claim the championship they last won at the inaugural tournament in 2006.
In fact, the Thais, losing finalists in 2007 and 2009, must treat Myanmar with extreme caution as they have proven to be a tough side to beat. The Thais know it best, after all, they were trailing by goal before charging back to win the last preliminary round match 3-1 three days ago.
And yesterday, Myanmar surprised everyone when they showed pre-tournament favourites Vietnam the exit in the semi-finals. Myanmar sensationally won 2-1 to stake their claim for a place in the final tomorrow.
While Myanmar have proven to be a tough act to beat, they will nevertheless have to be at their very best to try and outplay the skilful Thais, who have been unbeaten here.
The Thais have immense firepower as proven by the 20 goals they scored in four matches. With the likes of the hardworking Suphaphon Kaeobaen supporting forwards Nisa Romyen, Taneekarn Dangda and the speedy Kanjana Sung-Ngoen on the right, the Thais have an awesome strike force.
Myanmar’s defence, especially the lanky Myint Myint Aye and Thida Oo, will have to work overtime to try and put the brakes on the fast Thai strikers. As they successfully achieved in previous matches against Thailand and Vietnam, Myanmar will likely once again absorb the attacks and launch quick counter attacks to get their goals.
Overall, it will be a fast and furious final which currently on paper favours Thailand. However, Myanmar have proven that they do have the resources and if all goes well tomorrow, they could stage yet another surprise and top the podium for the second time in the history of the tournament.
“It will all be down to tactical discipline tomorrow. We have showed that we can play the right football against Vietnam and we aim to do it again against Thailand,” added Yoshinori Kumada, the chief coach of Myanmar.
PAST WINNERS (Final results)
2006: VIETNAM bt Myanmar 1-0 (Ho Chi Minh City)
2007: MYANMAR bt Thailand 4-1 on penalties (Yangon)
2008: AUSTRALIA bt Vietnam 1-0 (Ho Chi Minh City)
2009: AUSTRALIA bt Thailand 8-0 (Yangon)
2011: Thailand vs Myanmar
Note: Winners in CAPS
AFF WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP 2011
(All matches at the National Stadium unless indicated otherwise)
GROUP A: Indonesia, Vietnam, Singapore, Laos
GROUP B: Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Philippines
16 Oct 2011: VIETNAM 9 SINGAPORE 1 / INDONESIA 0 LAOS 11
17 Oct 2011: MYANMAR 2 PHILIPPINES 0 / THAILAND 8 MALAYSIA 1
18 Oct 2011: SINGAPORE 1 INDONESIA 3 / LAOS 0 VIETNAM 4
19 Oct 2011: PHILIPPINES 1 THAILAND 5 / MALAYSIA 0 MYANMAR 8
20 Oct 2011: INDONESIA 0 VIETNAM 14 / LAOS 5 SINGAPORE 0
21 Oct 2011: MYANMAR 1 THAILAND 3 / PHILIPPINES 2 MALAYSIA 2
FINAL GROUP STANDINGS
Group A
| TEAM |
P |
W | D | L | F | A | GD | PTS |
| Vietnam* | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 27 | 1 | 26 | 9 |
| Laos* | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 16 | 4 | 12 | 6 |
| Indonesia | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 26 | -23 | 3 |
| Singapore | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 17 | -15 | 0 |
*Teams qualified to the Semi-final round
Group B
| TEAM |
P |
W | D | L | F | A | GD | PTS |
| Thailand* | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 3 | 13 | 9 |
| Myanmar* | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 11 | 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Philippines | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 9 | -6 | 1 |
| Malaysia | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 18 | -15 | 1 |
*Teams qualified to the Semi-final round
SEMI-FINALS
23 Oct 2011: VIETNAM 1 MYANMAR 2 / THAILAND 4 LAOS 0
THIRD-FOURTH PLACING / FINAL
25 Oct 2011: Vietnam vs Laos (1600) / Myanmar vs Thailand (1900)
