AUSSIES SWEEP INTO SEMIFINALS, MYANMAR B PICK UP FULL POINTS

With two wins in the bag and one more game in hand against the hosts, Australia will likely finish as the group champions and justify their place as the hot favourites here.

After whipping the Philippines 14-0 in their opening game two days ago, Australia followed it up with another impressive performance today.

Although Vietnam were far stronger compared to the Philippines, Australia simply packed too much power upfront.

The Aussies top Group B with six points followed by Vietnam and Myanmar B, who have three points each.

In an earlier match today, Myanmar B defeated the Philippines 5-1 to pick up their first victory of the tournament.

Vietnam meanwhile face the Philippines in their last group match and should collect full points to secure the second spot and a place in the semifinals.

After 18 minutes of trying, Australia were on the scoresheet from an opportunistic strike from Nicola Bolger. Three minutes later Caitlin Friend tore down the centre, side stepped a few defenders to double the score.

Caitlin Foord was on target on the half hour mark and the score remained until the halftime. Australia wrapped up their performance tonight with two more strikes from Brittany Whitfield (52nd) and Friend (58th).

It was Friend’s sixth goal of the competition after a four-goal haul in the opening game.

In the second match at the Youth Training Centre, Myanmar B had a great start, taking a three-goal lead at the break and adding two more after to walk away with a comfortable 5-1 win over the Philippines.

Despite turning away several early attempts, the Philippines defence finally crumbled in the 13th minute when Tin Nilar Win broke through to put her side ahead.

It took Myanmar B another another 20 minutes before doubling the score, this time through Po Po Su. Moe Tharafe Aung made it 3-0 after she split the defence with a quick run down the centre.

Myanmar managed two more goals after the break, the first through Nilar Win in the 56th minute while Po Su sealed the victory, their first of the tournament, in the 90th minute.

The Philippines, despite being down by four goals, fought bravely and were rewarded with a goal in the 76th minute, netted by Ma Karina Dela Cruz.

REMAINING FIXTURES

Tomorrow: Myanmar A vs Indonesia (4pm at Youth Training Centre), Malaysia vs Thailand (4pm at Aung San Stadium)

Oct 14: Myanmar B vs Australia (3.30pm), Vietnam vs Philippines (6.00pm)

Oct 16: Semi-finals

Oct 18: Final

RESULTS

Oct 9 – Group A: Myanmar A bt Malaysia 15-0, Thailand bt Indonesia 15-0

Oct 10 – Group B: Vietnam bt Myanmar B 5-0, Australia bt Philippines 14-0

Oct 11 – Group A: Myanmar A vs Thailand 0-0, Malaysia bt Indonesia 2-1

Oct 12 –Myanmar B bt Philippines 5-1, Australia bt Vietnam 5-0