AFF WOMEN’S: Thais Get Myanmar; Laos Take On Vietnam

HO CHI MINH CITY (18 Sept 2012) – Thailand eased past Laos 3-0 to top the group and claim a semi-final tie against Myanmar in the AFF Women’s Championship here this evening.

For finishing second, Laos will have the honour of taking on hosts Vietnam in the other semi-final encounter on Thursday.

Playing on dry ground after days of torrential downpour, Thailand, despite fielding several reserves, were very much in control for the better part of the game and walked away deserving winners today.

The Thais scored twice in the first half through Anootsara Maijerern and Taneekarn Dandga while the third was netted by skipper Junpen Seesraum eight minutes from the end of the last preliminary round game of the tournament.

In the first half, Thailand got of to a smashing start. It took just six minutes for the Thai attackers to break through and score the opener through Anootsara Maijarern.

Annotsara’s shot was not nearly as solid as she would normally serve but Laos keeper Bounyoun Akkhavong struggled to handle it and the ball rolled in.

Thailand pushed up and continued harrasing their opponents. They almost doubled the score in the 24th minute but Duangnapa Sritala’s shot crept over the crossbar.

Their efforts paid off when Taneekarn Dandga made it 2-0 some ten minutes before the break.

Laos charged back and took the fight to Thailand for a significant part of the second half. They got close but their failure to find the mark saw them losing heart.

In the last 10 minutes, the Thais suddenly came alive and took a few good cracks one of which resulted in the goal.

 

AFF WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP 2012

(All matches at Thong Nhat Stadium)

GROUP A: Vietnam, Myanmar, Singapore, Philippines

GROUP B: Thailand, Laos, Malaysia