YANGON(11 Oct2012) – Laos converted two penalties against Brunei this evening to remain in the running for a slot in the AFF Suzuki Cup Final Round next month. Laos landed the spots kicks after the break to secure a 3-1 come-from-behind win over a gallant Brunei at the Youth Training Centre today.
Laos and Brunei were tied at 1-1 at the interval but Laos turned up the heat on a humid day here to score a crucial victory. Brunei opened the score in the 27th minute through skipper Rosmin Muhd Kamis but Kovanh Namthavixay levelled terms seven minutes on.
Laos did more of the attacking but were unable to get ahead until the 60th minute when Visay was tackled in the box. Khampeng Sayavutthi scored from the spot after a re-take was ordered. Eight minutes from time, Phonepaseuth Sysoutham was brought down and Kanlaya Sysomvang sealed it for Laos.
“If we lose today, we have no chance to play in the next round,” said Kokichi Kimura, the chief coach of Laos. “It was not an easy game but it was important that we pick up the three points.”
Laos are now third in the standings with six points, similar to leaders Timor Leste and hosts Myanmar. A weaker average saw Laos having to settle for third place but still in with a fighting chance to advance to the final stages. Laos and Brunei both have one more match against Myanmar and Timor Leste on Saturday respectively. Myanmar will face Cambodia in the second match tonight.
Laos started with six changes from the previous game. But it did not seem to affect the team as they pushed up in numbers in search of the opening goal. Sopha Saysana was in prime condition and was regularly taking shots, some of which almost made it through. In the 18th minute for example, Sopha raced towards the box, cut in and let loose a screamer which was saved.
With Laos dictating terms, Brunei were left making some quick counter attacks. In the 27th minute, they were awarded a freekick which skipper Rosmin Muhd Kamis confidently hammered home. Laos launched into attack immediately but Sopha’s strike from just outside the box dipped over the bar.
The inevitable happened a few minutes later. Kovanh Namthavixay was celebrating a somewhat lucky goal after his long range floater into the box caught the defence flat-footed. The goal fired them up and Laos tried to add another before the break but the closest they got was a cracker from captain Visay Phaphouvannin that Muhd Wardun managed to save.
Laos continued their forward push after the break and their efforts resulted in a penalty on the hour mark. Visay was brought down in full flight and Khampeng made no mistake from the spot. Brunei had their chance to square the score but a superb try from Mohd Shahrazen Said was blocked.
With less than 10 minutes on the clock, referee Tayeb Hassan Shamsuzzaman from Bangladesh pointed to the spot for a second time and Kanlaya coolly smashed it in.
“The lack of physical prowess was showing,” lamented Kwon Oh Son, the chief coach of Brunei. “Today’s performance was not so good. We should have had a longer time for training.”
The Line-up
BRUNEI: Muhd Wardun Yusof (GK), Muhd Afi Aminuddin, Sairol Sahari, Muhd Azwan Muhd Salleh, Md Najip Tarif, Rosmin Muhd Kamis (cpt), Muhd Helmi Zambin, Affendy Akup, Md Aminuddin Zakwan Tahir (Md Hendra Azam, 68th), Adi Said (Azwan Muhd Salleh, 69th), Mohd Shahrazen Said
Head coach: Kwon Oh Son (S.Kor)
Scorers: Rosmin Kamis (27th)
Yellow: Muhd Azwan Ali (29th), Muhd Afi (81st), Md Najip Tarif (90th)
Red:
LAOS: Sengpachan Bounthisanh (GK), Saynakhonevieng Phommapanya, Kovanh Namthavixay, Ketsada Souksavanh, Khampoumy Hanevilay, Viengsavanh Sayyaboun (Kanlaya Sysomvang, 62nd), Sopha Saysana (Vilayout Sayyabounsou, 73rd), Soukaphone Vongchiengkham, Visay Phaphouvannin (cpt), Phatthana Syvilay, Khampeng Sayavutthi (Phonepaseuth Sysoutham, 79th)
Head coach: Kokichi Kimura (Jpn)
Scorers: Kovanh Namthavixay (34th), Khampeng Sayavutthi (60th), Kanlaya Sysomvang (83rd)
Yellow: Viengsavanh Sayyaboun (14th), Khampoumy Hanevilay (90th), Phonepaseuth Sysoutham (90th)
Red:
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Tayeb Hasan Shamsuzzaman (Ban)
Assistant Referee 1: Ameez Ahmed (Mdv)
Assistant Referee 2: Anaam Ahmed Qiad Saif (Yem)
Fourth Official: Takayama Hiroyoshi (Jpn)
Match Commissioner: Lt Col Kamaruddin Sakhari (Mas)
Referee Assessor: Russamee Jindamai (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 |
| TIMOR LESTE |
3 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
9 |
4 |
+5 |
6 |
| MYANMAR |
2 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
1 |
+2 |
6 |
| BRUNEI |
2 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
3 |
3 |
= |
3 |
| LAOS |
2 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
-1 |
3 |
| CAMBODIA |
3 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
3 |
9 |
-6 |
0 |
