AFF WOMEN’S: Vietnam Claim Title After Winning Shootout

HO CHI MINH CITY (22 Sept 2012) – Hosts Vietnam claimed the AFF Women’s Championship title for the second time after prevailing 4-3 in a thrilling shootout against Myanmar at the Thong Nhat Stadium tonight.

And the star of the night was surely Vietnam keeper, Dang Thi Kieu Trinh, who saved the fourth and fifth kicks to ensure Vietnam ran out the winners today.

To be fair, both the keepers, including Myanmar’s May Khin Ya Min had performed remarkably tonight. It was their heroics that saw the game stretch into extra time and finish 0-0 after 120 minutes. In the end though, Trinh managed to save two more shots and helped her team claim the coveted title again since 2006.

Myanmar, who finished second to Thailand last year, were hoping for a better finish but eventually had to settle for the silver again this year. Than Than Htwe sent off in the 112th minute although that made little difference at that stage of the match.

Tonight’s match started with a slight drizzle and that drew concerned looks especially from the Vietnam bench. A heavy pitch would almost certainly ruin Vietnam’s fast-paced game. To their relief, it did not turn into a downpour and stopped mid-way through the first half.

Surprisingly though, it was Myanmar who took the early crack at scoring. In the first minute, Than Than Htwe blasted just over the bar. But Myanmar’s encouraging start was dashed when key midfielder San San Maw was replaced 10 minutes into the game after sustaining a gash on her head following a clash with a Vietnam defender.

Vietnam made numerous attempts to split the Myanmar defence but all their efforts were in vain. The Myanmar defenders led by Myint Myint Aye were quick to turn away any move to try and break through.

Vietnam tried the next best thing, take long shots and they came close on twoocassions. In the 16th minute, Tran Thi Kim Hong watched in despair as her first-timed shot slipped over the crossbar. Some ten minutes later, Nguyen Thu Muon also saw her shot saved by May Khin Ya Min.

Just before the break, two of Myanmar players – Myint Myint Aye and Yee Yee Oo – were booked in the 36th and 39th minutes.

The pace picked up after the break as both sides charged forward in search of the goals.

Both teams had their fair chances at goal but were left with nothing to show due thanks to the brilliant performances of the Myanmar and Vietnam goalkeepers, May Khin Ya Win and Dang Thi Kieu Trinh.

Had it not been for the two custodians, the goals would have flowed but their hardwork eventually forced the game into extratime.

The first three Myanmar players to score were Myint Myint Aye, Phu Pwint Khaing and Nilar Myint. The fourth and fifth Myanmar players, Khin Moe Wai and skipper Khin Marlar Tun, both had their shots saved by Trinh.

Vietnam’s four scorers were Tran Thi Kim Hong, Le Thi Thuong, Nguyen Thi Minh Nguyet and Le Thu Thanh Huong.

 

VIETNAM: Dang Thi Kieu Trinth (GK), Nguyen Thi Xuyen, ChuongThi Lieu, Nguyen Thi Kim Tien (Le Thu Thanh Huong, 85th) Nguyen Thi Tuyet Dung, Nguyen Thi Muon, Nguyen Thi Ngoc Anh, Le Thi Thuong (Cpt), Nguyen Hai Hoa, Tran Thi Kim Hong, Nguyen Thi Minh Nguyet.

Head coach: Chen Yun Fa (Chn)

Yellow: Nguyen Thi Minh Nguyet (120th)

 

MYANMAR: May Khin Ya Min (GK), Myint Myint Aye, Moe Moe War, San San Maw (Thidar Oo, 12th – Hla Yin Win, 105th), Than Than Htwe, Nilar Myint, Yee Yee Oo, Khin Marlar Tun (Cpt), May Thu Kyaw (Nan Nhin Nhin Htwe, 46th), Khin Tan Wai, Phu Pwint Khaing.

Head coach: Kumada Yoshinori (Jpn)

Yellow: Myint Myint Aye (36th), Yee Yee Oo (39th), Than Than Htwe (66th)

Red: Than Than Htwe (112th)

 

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Patchaya Boonprasit (Tha)

Assistant Referee 1: Tanya De Bore (Aus)

Assistant Referee 2: Windya Habibah Shamsuri (Mas)

Fourth Official: Kate Jacewicz (Aus)

Match Commissioner: Kanya Keomany (Lao)

Referee Assessor: Chalach Piromya (THa)

General Coordinator: Andrew Lim (Sin)

 

AFF WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP 2012

(All matches at Thong Nhat Stadium)

GROUP A: Vietnam, Myanmar, Singapore, Philippines

GROUP B: Thailand, Laos, Malaysia