PALEMBANG (3 July 2018) – A tired-looking Indonesian side could not fend off a confident Vietnam on the second matchday of Group B of the AFF Women’s Championship when they fell to the latter 6-0 at the Jaka Baring Stadium.
Following from their scoreless draw against Singapore two days earlier, the Indonesian side found it hard going against the losing finalists from two years ago.
And despite having at least eight new faces in the squad this time round, Vietnam still found the space to score three goals in each half.
“I would not say that it was an easy match. Indonesia have certainly improved from the last time we played them,” said Vietnam team manager Duong Vu Lam.
“It was quite a hard game, but the players certainly would have learn some things from this.”
Just two minutes in, a clever playback from Nguyen Thi Tuyet Dung allowed Huynh Nhu to blast the ball in for the lead.
As Indonesia came to grip for what’s ahead, they soon tightened up their defence and rarely venture forward.
With neumerous chances denied by the close Indonesian defence, guyen Thi Van fired in from distance in the 28th minute for the second goal of the game as they then finished 3-0 at the half off Pham Hai Yen attempt that was totally misread by Indonesian keeper Norfiince Boma.
Vietnam needed only four minutes after the break to add to the scoreline through Thai Thi Thao rifling shot from the edge of the box while a melee three minutes later allowed Huynh Nhu to stab home for her second of the match.
Confident in front, Vietnam took their time as thy finished an easy afternoon with the sixth goal of the game from Nguyen Thi Tuyet Dung.
In the meantime, the Philippines picked up their first full points in the group when they beat Singapore 3-0.
The Philippines, who fell to a 4-0 defeat at when the hands of Myanmar two days ago, put up a more determined performance to unbridled the cagey Singapore defence.
Joyce Semacio broke the deadlock in the eighth minute when she raced past the Singapore defence to score.
That goal put the Philippines well on the way but for the lack of composure prevented them from adding to the score line.
“We were not playing well in the first half. We were rushing things,” said Philippines head coach Letecia Bautista afterwards.
“For the next game (against Vietnam), we need to have more control and keep our composure.”
With just one goal from the first half, the Philippines were determined to add to the score line after the break and after numerous close calls, they finally made the score sheet – albeit off an own goal.
A cross from Philippines’ Kyla Inquig down the right in the 61st minute was put into goal by Singapore defender Nur Umairah Hamdan.
Seven minutes later, the Philippines made sure of the points when Quinley Quezada swung in a shot from the right that had Singapore custodian Noor Kusumawati Mohamad Rosman well beaten.
AFF WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP
RESULTS – Group B
Indonesia 0 Vietnam 6
Singapore 0 Philippines 3
FIXTURES – All matches at Bumi Sriwijaya Stadium
4 July 2018 – Group A
1600: Thailand vs Cambodia
1900: U20 Australia vs Timor Leste
