AFF WOMEN’S: Thailand Take Third

HO CHI MINH CITY (22 Sept 2012) – Thailand, stunned by Myanmar in the semi-finals two days ago, made up for their premature exit here by wresting the bronze in the third-fourth playoff against Laos at the Thong Nhat Stadium today.

Skipper Junpen Seesraum reeled in four goals while Kanjana Sung-ngoen blasted a hattrick as Thailand routed Laos 14-1 tonight for the biggest margin of victory in this edition of the AFF Women’s Championship.

The bronze would not make up for their failure to qualify for the final and defend their title. But to their credit, the Thai girls put aside sentiments and got with the job.

By the end of 45 minutes, the Thais were 5-0 up, thanks to two early strikes from skipper Junpen Seesraum. Junpen hit the opener in the second minute and followed up with a second in the ninth minute.

Before the break, Rattikan Thongsambut (13th, 21st) and Chidtawan Chawong (37th) struck three more goals to virtually seal it for the Thais.

Laos, who had earlier lost to Thailand 3-0 in the group stage, struggled to get their act together. The defence were in tatters and despite the best efforts of Laos’ best player, Sochitta  Phonharath, they could not pull themselves together.

There was some respite as Laos crashed in a goal through Souphavanh Payvanh in the 44th minute.

At tbe end of 90 minutes, Thailand hammered nine more goals through substitute Kanjana Sung-ngoen (6rd, 64th, 90th), Junpen (68th, 81st), Duangnapa (70th), Annotsara Maijerern (80th) and Taneekarn Dangda (83rd, 85th).

For the record, the biggest scoreline in the history of this tournament was when Thailand deeated Malaysia 17-0 in 2009 in Yangon.

 

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Mai Hoang Trang (Vie)

Assistant Referee 1: Merlo Albano (Phi)

Assistant Referee 2: Su Nyein Thein (Mya)

Fourth Official: Rita Ghani (Mas)

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