AFF WOMEN’S: Myanmar Stun Thais to Face Vietnam in Final

HO CHI MINH CITY (20 Sept 2012) – Striker San San Maw sent defending champions Thailand packing when she netted the winner in the semi-final of the AFF Women’s Championship at the Thong Nhat Stadium here tonight.

The Myanmar striker headed home the only goal of the match in the 67th minute after connecting a cross from defender Myint Myint Aye.

Myanmar, silver medallists in last year’s tournament, will now face hosts Vietnam in the final. It will be the second time here that Myanmar will cross paths with Vietnam. In the Group A tie three days ago, Vietnam won 2-1.

In an earlier semi-final match, Vietnam whipped Laos 7-0 to move into the final as the favourites.

The downpour just before the match must have bothered the Thais more than their opponents tonight. The speedy Thais knew that the heavy ground would severely affect their usually fast-flowing game.

And to their horror, the Thais struggled to get their game going. Myanmar in fact, had a better run in the first half and could have even surprised their rivals.

But like the Thais, the Myanmar strikers, who appeared to be fitter than their rivals, were unable to hit the mark.

It was much the same after the break as both sides shared possession but again struggled to get their shots in. Then, in the 67th minute, the stadium erupted as the small band of Myanmar fans screamed in delight.

Defender Myint Myint Aye cut in from the right and spotted San San Maw in the middle. Her cross found the striker who dived and headed the ball up into goal.

Thailand never gave up and could have equalised in the 72nd minute but Chidtawan Chawong’s shot came off the goalkeeper. Wilaiporn Boothouang let loose from the top of the box but it was saved by an alert May Khin Ya Min.

 

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Rita Ghani (Mas)

Asst Referee 1: Windya Habibah Shamsuri (Mas)

Asst Referee 2: Tanya De Bore (Aus)

Fourth official: Mai Hoang Trang (Vie)

Match Commissioner: Kanya Keomany (Lao)

Referee Assessor: Dang Thanh Ha (Vie)

General Coordinator: Nguyen Thanh Ha (Vie)

 

AFF WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP 2012

(All matches at Thong Nhat Stadium)

GROUP A: Vietnam, Myanmar, Singapore, Philippines

GROUP B: Thailand, Laos, Malaysia