ALL SQUARE IN GROUP B

The match started with Indonesia the early aggressor when captain Tony Sucipto delivered a free kick which sailed over the crossbar.

But while Indonesia were eager looking for the first goal, it was Singapore who went ahead in the sixth minute when defender Muhammad Safuwan Baharuddin out jumped their opponent’s defence to nod in the corner from Mohd Shaiful Esah Nain.

In the 24th minute, Indonesia fell further behind when Mohd Shaiful curled the ball into the net to beat keeper Frenky Irawan for the second time in the afternoon.

Indonesia did no show any sign of desperation, and with just three minutes left of the first half, Indonesia finally got their first goal Stevie Bonsapia slammed home a cross from striker Engel Sani.

Indonesia started the second half stronger and while Boaz failed with a 54th minute attempt, they finally found their equaliser in the 65th minute when Rendy headed off a Rachmat Latif corner.

In the meantime, hosts Laos repaid the faith of their fans with a never-say-die-attitude to hold Myanmar to a superb 1-1 draw in the second match of the day.

In the 18th minute, Myanmar striker Kyaw Thi Ha had a great chance but after beating his marker Kitsada, he lobbed the ball over the goal instead.

However, Myanmar finally carved their lead in the 42nd minute when off a quick counter-attack, Thi Ha ran past Souvanpheng before putting the ball past Kitsada.

Laos piled the pressure after the break with a Khampheng Sayyavuthi’s attempt went well over the crossbar in the 57th minute while four minutes later, a one-two between Khampheng and Lamnao did not end favourably.

But the fans finally got something to cheer in the 70th minute when Khampheng broke through the Myanmar defence before unleashing a grounder to the far post.

GROUPINGS

Group A: Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Timor Leste, Cambodia

Group B: Laos, Myanmar, Singapore, Indonesia

RESULTS AND FIXTURES

2 Dec (Main Stadium): MALAYSIA 11 TIMOR LESTE 0/ THAILAND 1 VIETNAM 1

4 Dec (Chao Anu Vong Stadium): THAILAND 4 CAMBODIA 0/ VIETNAM 4 TIMOR LESTE 0

5 Dec (Main Stadium): SINGAPORE 2 INDONESIA 2/ LAOS 1 MYANMAR 1

6 Dec (Main Stadium): Vietnam vs Malaysia (1500hrs)/ Timor Leste vs Cambodia (1745hrs)

7 Dec (Chao Anu Vong Stadium): Myanmar vs Singapore (1500hrs)/ Indonesia vs Laos (1745hrs)

8 Dec (Chao Anu Vong Stadium): Timor Leste vs Thailand (1500hrs)/ Cambodia vs Malaysia (1745hrs)

9 Dec: Opening Ceremony

10 Dec (Chao Anu Vong Stadium): Myanmar vs Indonesia (1500hrs)/ Laos vs Singapore (1745hrs)

11 Dec (Chao Anu Vong Stadium): Cambodia vs Vietnam (1500hrs)/ Malaysia vs Thailand (1500hrs)

14 Dec (Chao Anu Vong Stadium): Semi-finals

17 Dec: Third/ Fourth Placing (1500hrs at Chao Anu Vong Stadium)/ FINAL (1700hrs at Main Stadium)