ASC2012 QUALIFIERS: Draw Enough For Myanmar To Secure Top Spot and Slot In Group A

YANGON (13 Oct 2012) – Myanmar emerged champions of the AFF Suzuki Cup Qualifying Round despite being held to a 0-0 draw by Laos at the Youth Training Centre Stadium here this afternoon. The point was enough to secure the top spot in the standings and confirm their place in Group A of the Final Round next month.

“It was a tough match and the hot weather affected the players performance,” said Park Sung Hwa, the chief coach of Myanmar. “But we made the final round of the AFF Suzuki Cup, so I must congratulate my players.”

The draw has made things interesting for the last qualifying match.

Laos, who put up a gallant fight today, now have seven points and are sitting second in the standings. Timor Leste, who will face Brunei in the second game, are third on six points. This means that should Brunei stage a surprise against Timor Leste this evening, Laos will go through to the Final Round.

On paper, Timor hold the edge over Laos. Two days ago, Laos had beaten Brunei while four days earlier, Timor had defeated Laos. In short, Timor should get the better of Brunei but there is no way of predicting the outcome.

In this afternoon’s match, Myanmar knew they were virtually through and that may have caused them to ease off slightly. Myanmar had given better accounts of themselves in earlier matches but the draw was all they needed to win the tournament and advance, which had always been their objective.

The blistering heat this afternoon must have affected the players more than they had expected. That would probably explain the lacklustre performances from both teams who hardly had any decent shots for the first 45 minutes. To be fair Myanmar went out in search of the goals but their attacks fizzled out by the time they reached the box. Laos had two or three breaks but nothing really threatening.

In the 18^th minute, Soukaphone Vongchiengkham broke through the defence but his crack fell far short and it was easily scooped up by goalkeeper Thiha Si Thu.

Myanmar continued to try but their efforts were in vain. In the 23^rd minute, Myanamr had one of their best chances to move ahead. Kyi Lin made a sizzling dash into the box but was unable to control his shot, leaving the 4,000 fans who braved the heat and humidity sorely disappointed.

Myanmar had a somewhat promising start in the second half but after a couple of early attempts, they were unable to find a way through. By the 70^th minute, Myanmar still had nothing to show and it looked like the game was heading for a draw which was really good enough for them to win the tournament.

“To win was important, so draw is not so good,” lamented Kokichi Kimura, the chief coach of Laos. “But the players played really well and they gave their 100%, so I can’t complain.”

The Line-up

LAOS: Sengpachan Bounthisanh (GK), Saynakhonevieng Phommapanya, Kovanh Namthavixay, Ketsada Souksavanh, Khampoumy Hanevilay, Sopha Saysana (Vilayout Sayyabounhuang, 57^th), Soukaphone Vongchiengkham, Visay Phaphouvannin (cpt), Phatthana Syvilay (Khonesavanh Sihavong, 57^th), Kanlaya Sysomvang (Phonepaseuth Sysoutham, 77^th), Khampeng Sayavutthi.

Head coach: Kokichi Kimura (Jpn)

Scorers: nil

Yellow: Kovanh Namthavixay (16^th), Khampoumy Hanevilay (32^nd), Sopha Saysana (44^th), Soukaphone Vongchiengkham (81^st)

Red: nil

Suspended: Viengsavanh Sayyaboun

MYANMAR: Thiha Si Thu (GK), Zaw Min Tun, Thein Than Win (Nyi Nyi Min, 46^th), Yan Aung Kyaw, Khin Maung Lwin (cpt), Kyi Lin, Kyaw Zayar Win (Naing Lin Oo, 82^nd), Pyaye Phyo Aung, David Htan, Thet Naing, Aun Hein Kyaw (Moe Win, 52^nd)

Head Coach: Park Sung Hwa (S.Kor)

Scorers: nil

Yellow: Kyi Lin (69^th)

Red: nil

Injured: Yan Aung Win

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Abdulla Ali Abdulla Alaajel Alzaabi (UAE)

Assistant Referee 1: Kim Youngha (SKor)

Assistant Referee 2: Md Abdul Munaf Sarker (Ban)

Fourth Official: Mukhtar Saleh Ali Al-Yarimi (Yem)

Match Commissioner: Lt Col Kamaruddin Sakhari (Mas)

Referee Assessor: Russamee Jindamai (Tha)

General Coordinator: Demis A. Djamaoeddin (Ina)

AFF SUZUKI CUP 2012

Qualifying Round

– Brunei, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar and Timor Leste

*Date*	*Match*			*Time*	*Venue*	*Result*
5-Oct	*CAMBODIA*	Vs	*TIMOR LESTE*	1500	Youth Training Centre	1 – 5
5-Oct	*MYANMAR*	Vs	*BRUNEI*	1800	Youth Training Centre	*1 – 0*
7-Oct	*TIMOR LESTE*	vs	*MYANMAR*	1500	Youth Training Centre	1 – 2
7-Oct	*LAOS*	vs	*CAMBODIA*	1800	Youth Training Centre	1 – 0
9-Oct	*CAMBODIA*	vs	*BRUNEI*	1500	Youth Training	*2 – 3*
9-Oct	*TIMOR LESTE*	vs	*LAOS*	1800	Centre	3 – 1
11-Oct	*BRUNEI*	vs	*LAOS*	1500	Youth Training	*1 – 3*
11-Oct	*MYANMAR*	vs	*CAMBODIA*	1800	Centre	*3 – 0*
13-Oct	*LAOS*	vs	*MYANMAR*	1500	Youth Training	0 – 0
13-Oct	Brunei	vs	Timor Leste	1800	Centre