VIENTIANE (23 Oct 2011) – Two quick strikes in the first 10 minutes of the second half led Thailand to convincing 4-0 win over Laos in the semi-finals of the AFF Women’s Championship at the National Stadium.
After a scoreless first 45 minutes, Thailand charged back to dominate the remainder of the match and secure a place in the final against Myanmar on Tuesday.
Once Thailand, runners-up in the last women’s championship, found the opener in the 53rdminute through Anootsara Maijajern and a second through Nisa Romyen just minutes later, Laos could not do much to stop their fired-up opponents.
Anootsara went on to complete a superb hattrick with two more goals in the 63rd and 72ndminutes.
In the first semifinal match here earlier today, Myanmar staged a stunner when they edged Vietnam 2-1 to secure their place in the final. Vietnam blew any hopes of making a comeback when they failed to convert a penalty deep in injury time to force the game into extratime.
A brilliant dive to the left saw Myanmar keeper May Khin Ya Min push out the spot kick and lead her team into their third AFF Women’s final.
In tonight’s second semifinal, Thailand left their star flanker and goal-poacher Kanjana Sung-Ngoen on the bench. Coach Piyakul Kawnamkang also kept Sunisa Srangthaisong and Suphaphon Kaeobaen on the sidelines.
The Thais, who were hoping to start reeling in the goals early, began missing their regulars as the game went past the halfway point and there were still no goals to show.
Thailand, whose long crosses into the box were constantly turned away by the hardworking Laos defenders, resorted to some long shots but still were unable to hit the target. To their credit, the Laos defenders did an awesome job keeping out the Thais strikers.
The return of number one Laos goalkeeper, Hongthong Choulapanh, red-carded in the opening match, also helped boost the confidence level of the home gals.
As expected, Thailand brought on Kanjana and Suphaphon and suddenly there was more aggression in attack and the forwards finally got the support they had lacked in the first half. Within minutes, Thailand struck the opening goal of the match through Anootsara who easily converted a penalty after Nisa was brought down by Lololy Bouakeo in the box.
Just three minutes later, Nisa doubled the score and from then on it was Thailand all the way.
Teams
THAILAND: Kanyawee Sudtawee (GK), Thidarat Wiwasukhu, Wajee Kertsombun (Suphaphon Kaeobaen, 46th), Junpen Seesraum (cpt) – Kanjana Sung-Ngoen, 46th), Nisa Romyen (Nuengruethai Phaiket, 79th), Kwanruethai Kunupathum, Warinda Patisang, Kwanreudi Saengchan, Annotsara Maijarern, Taneekarn Dangda, Wilaiporn Boothduang
Head coach: Piyakul Kawnamkang
Team Colours: Yellow/Yellow/Yellow
Scorers: Anootsara Maijajern (53rd, 63rd, 72nd), Nisa Romyen (56th)
Yellow: Wilaiporn Boothduang (76th)
Red: nil
LAOS: Hongthong Choulapanh (GK), Soutdaoloung Phasir (cpt), Noun Angmahongsa, Lasoy Vongviseth, Sochitta Phonhalath, Souphavanh Phayvanh, Lololy Bouakeo, Johnny Sayasanh (Viengkhone Chanthamala 56th), Vanida Soukpanya (Phonthip Phoummavong, 68th, Ting Sengmany 82nd) , Manivanh Bounthan, Nouandeng Sihalath
Head coach: Han Wong Chol
Team Colours: Red/Blue/Red
Scorers: nil
Yellow: Manivanh Bounthan (48th), Lololy Bouakeo (51st)
Red: nil
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Thein Aye (Mya)
Asst Referee 1: Thida Oo (Mya)
Asst Referee 2: Rohaidah Mohd Nasir (Sin)
Fourth Official: Cong Thi Dung (Vie)
Match Commissioner: Chaichok Poompuang (Tha)
Referee Assessor: Pham Chu Thien (Vie)
General Coordinator: Xaybandith Rasphone (Lao)
Match No: 14
Match venue: National Stadium
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)
