AVALANCHE OF GOALS AS MYANMAR A AND THAIS WIN

Thailand, in the second match tonight, dominated all the way and secured an identical 15-0 victory over Indonesia.

Myanmar A and Thailand, both tied for the top spot in Group A, are the clear favourites to advance to the semifinals.

Both want to win to avoid a likely semifinal showdown against Australia. Myanmar A and Thailand will square off on Sunday.

In the opening match, Myanmar A took just 95 seconds to net the first goal of the tournament which was soon followed by many more.

Striker Hla Yin Win’s header was soon followed by a sizzling long shot from Nilar Win in the 10th minute.

It was an amazing afternoon for Myanmar as Yin Win completed her hattrick in just 15 minutes.

She picked up her second in the 13th minute and made it 4-0 for her team when she side-stepped a defender, coolly lined up her shot and rifled it past Malaysian keeper Cassandra Devi Jeremiah two minutes later.

Nilar Win scored the fifth goal in the 18th minute before Htet Thaigi Aye took centrestage and secured the second hattrick of the match just before the break.

The nippy striker blasted four goals in the 23rd, 31st, 37th and 44th minutes to put the score at 9-0.

Following a sensational opening half, the fans were hungry for more goals. The players knew it and went hunting right from the start.

Although they came close several times, Myanmar had to wait until the 53rd minute before making it a perfect 10, thanks to a lovely strike from May Thu Kyaw.

Thu Kyaw went on to complete a third hattrick for her team with further goals in the 64th and 90th minutes.

The other goals were netted by Khin Nway Mway (54th) and Nandar Hlaing (73rd). In the 79th minute, Myanmar picked up a lucky goal when the ball deflected off a Malaysian keeper and sailed into the back of the net.

Malaysia, represented by the state team of Sabah, were totally overwhelmed by their fitter and faster opponents.

The Malaysians tried as much as they could but were unable to put the brakes on the opposing strikers.

Myanmar A, who now top Group A with three points, will face rivals Thailand at the Aung San Stadium in the heart of Yangon city on Sunday.

The two will probably decide the top two positions in the group. Malaysia will have a chance to make amends for their loss with their second match against Indonesia on Sunday.

In the second Group A match at the same venue this evening, Thailand netted five goals in the first half but doubled the pace after the break to make it 15 goals.

Rattiyakorn Pra-Ang (20th, 39th, 45th, 67th) and Pranee Tanasan (32ns, 60th, 76th, 89th) netted four goals each while Anongnat Boontan helped herself to a hatrrick with strikes in the 35th, 55th and 73rd.

Malaitip Promwang scored twice in the 78th and 88th while Wannipa Kongthip scored the other in the last minute. The first goal after the break was an own goal.

Win Myint Thwin, the Myanmar A coach was delighted with the performance of his players but said that 15 goals may not be sufficient.

“We played real hard today because we want to win the group. I think that it will be down to goals difference between us and Thailand,” added Mying Thwin.

Added Thailand’s team manager Dr. Kasom Chanawongsi: “It was a hard performance from the players. They showed a lot of improvement from the Laos championship last month. It will be close against Myanmar.”

FIXTURES

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

Oct 11: Myanmar A vs Thailand (3.30pm), Indonesia vs Malaysia (6.00pm)

Oct 12: Myanmar B vs Philippines (3.30pm) Australia vs Vietnam (6.00pm)

Oct 13: Myanmar A vs Indonesia (3.30pm), Malaysia vs Thailand (6.00pm)

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

Oct 16: Semi-finals

Oct 18: Final