AFF WOMEN’S: Weather Will Be A Factor In Final Count

HO CHI MINH CITY (22 Sept 2012) – The erratic weather that is hitting this southern city will once again be the deciding factor in the final of the AFF Women’s Championship at the Thong Nhat Stadium later this evening.

There is no doubt that two of the best teams in the tournament this year – hosts Vietnam and Myanmar – deserved to be in the title-deciding tie but whether the outcome will be the same as it has been in the group stage will largely be decided by the weather that has been so volatile over the past week.

If it rains, then the quality of the game between two of the more offensive minded team will be drained out as the field at the Thong Nhat Stadium have been known to develop into puddles once a consistent downpour start enveloping the venue.

“Of course we are a little concerned about the weather but at this time, we can just concentrate on the game itself,” said Yoshinori Kumada, the chief coach of Myanmar.

“We have been preparing hard for the past year and we are ready to attack each time we get the ball. Vietnam is a strong team, so it will be an excellent final game.”

While Myanmar are looking to win their first ever crown, Vietnam will be looking to add a second title to the one they won for the first time in 2006.

Chen Yun Fa, the chief coach of Vietnam said that the return of Tran (Thi Kim Hong) to the right wing has added more bite to their attack and that will be a major influence in the final tie of the tournament.

“We have some young players in the team, so they seem to be struggling a little bit with the older players in the squad,” added Yun Fa.

“It is always difficult to play against Myanmar as afterall they are one of the big three in ASEAN (the other is Thailand). But we are prepared for this final and I hope that it will be played at a high level.”

 

AFF WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP 2012

(All matches at Thong Nhat Stadium)

GROUP A: Vietnam, Myanmar, Singapore, Philippines

GROUP B: Thailand, Laos, Malaysia