YANGON (11 Oct 2012) – Hosts Myanmar are virtually through to the final rounds of the AFF Suzuki Cup this year after securing a convincing 3-0 win over Cambodia at the Youth Training Centre here tonight. Cambodia put up a brave fight but eventually succumbed to a late rally from their opponents.
Myanmar needed an hour before they were able to prise the Cambodian defence apart tonight. Star striker Kyi Lin leapt high to nod in a precise cross from David Htan on the right. The goal send the 8,000 odd fans to their feet but they too could sense there was more to come.
Five minutes after coming on for KyawZayar Win in the 61st minute, substitute KaungSithu crashed in a short volley from Zaw Min Tun and brought the night to a glorious conclusion when he slammed in a freekick deep in injury time.
“Myanmar played really well today and I must congratulate the players for putting up such a commitment,” said Park Sung Hwa, the chief coach of Myanmar afterwards. “We changed the tactics a little bit this time round where we put in Kaung Si Thu and that troubled the opponent’s back line in the second half.”
Myanmar now have nine points from three wins and will only require a draw against Laos on Saturday to top the group and move on to continue the fight in Group A along with Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines. The battle for the remaining slot and likely second qualifying spot will be between Timor Leste and Laos. Timor will face Brunei on Saturday and have the edge over Laos to advance.
It was clear what Myanmar had to do but tried as they did, the Myanmar strikers, KyiLwin and KyawZayar Win, were unable to break through their opponents’ defences. The Cambodian defenders and goalkeeper Um Vichet were in top form and turned away every Myanmar attempt.
Myanmar began to intensify their attacks in the last ten minutes but to no avail. Cambodia had a bit os a scare ten minutes from the break when Um Vichet fell rather awkwardly while trying to retrieve a corner kick. To his team’s relief, the custodian was uninjured and was able to continue.
A minute from halftime, KyiLwn tried to lob the ball over the keeper and into the far corner. However, Um was quick off his feet to push the ball away.
Myanmar have to be praised for their relentless efforts to break the duck. Their forwards threw everything they had at their opponents but were unable to find the mark. Finally, on the hour mark, Kyi Lin found his way through which paved the way for two more goals.
“We played four games in one week, but we tried very hard to match Myanmar,” added Hok Sochetra, the chief coach of Cambodia. “We played really well in the second half but Myanmar capitalised on some of the mistakes we made in the second half.”
The Line-up
MYANMAR: Thiha Si Thu (GK), Yan Aung Win (ThetNaing, 51st), Zaw Min Tun, Thein Than Win, Yan AungKyaw, KhinMaungLwin, Kyi Lin (Yaza Win Thein, 85th), KyawZayar Win (KaungSithu, 66th), PyayePhyoAung, David Htan, Aun Hein Kyaw
Head coach: Park Sung Hwa (S.Kor)
Scorers:Kyi Lin (60th), KaungSithu (66th, 90th)
Yellow: nil
Red:nil
CAMBODIA: Um Vichet (GK), Lay Raksmey, Tieng Tiny, Say Piseth, Touch Pancharong, KhimBorey, KeoSokngon (cpt), PrakMonyUdom (ChhinChhouen, 54th), SosSuhana, Sun Sopannha (SounVeasna, 74th), SreyUdom (ChhunSothearath, 62nd).
Head coach:HokSochetra (Cam)
Scorers: nil
Yellow:KeoSokgnon (44th), Say Piseth (45th), ChhunSothearath (74th)
Red:nil
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee:MukhtarSaleh Ali Al-Yarimi (Yem)
Assistant Referee 1:Md Abdul MunafSarker (Ban)
Assistant Referee 2:SuqatriHasan Mohamed Hasan (UAE)
Fourth Official:Aslam Ahmed (Mdv)
Match Commissioner: Lt Col KamaruddinSakhari (Mas)
Referee Assessor:RussameeJindamai (Tha)
General Coordinator: Joseph Samuel (AFF)
AFF SUZUKI CUP 2012
Qualifying Round
– Brunei, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar and Timor Leste
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STANDINGS
|
TEAM |
P |
W |
D |
L |
F |
A |
GD |
PTS |
| MYANMAR |
3 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
6 |
1 |
+5 |
9 |
| TIMOR LESTE |
3 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
9 |
4 |
+5 |
6 |
| LAOS |
3 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
5 |
4 |
+1 |
6 |
| BRUNEI |
3 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
4 |
6 |
-2 |
3 |
| CAMBODIA |
4 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
3 |
12 |
-9 |
0 |
