COMPREHENSIVE WIN FOR THAIS

BANGKOK (Dec 7, 2007) – Host Thailand were in no comprising mood on the opening day of the Futsal event in Bangkok as both the men and women’s team started off strongly in their respective matches at the Indoor Stadium, Sports Authority of Thailand.

First off was the Thai women’s team who whitewashed Myanmar 6-0 with Srimanee Orathai nailing four goals in the 2nd, 6th, 24th and 30th minute before Litmun Donya and Tupsuri Jiraprapa added further goals in the 33rd and 39th minute respectively.

The Thai men’s team – the Asean champions – seems to take things a little easier even though, they did grab a 5-2 lead at the break for an 8-3 victory at the end over Myanmar.

The Thai goals were scored by Suttiroj Natthapon (3rd minute), Munjarern Anucha (4th, 18th and 33rd), Suratsawang Ekapong (4th minute penalty) and from also Suratsawang Ekapong (20th minute penalty), Chalaemkheat Keattiyot (24th) and Issarasuwipakorn Lertchai (33rd).

Myanmar replied with goals off Soe Min Oo (19th minute), Kyaw Zin Nyunt (19th) and Khin Maung tun (32nd minute penalty).

But the Malaysians are not far behind in showing their determination where they too started off strongly when both the men and women’s team overcame the respective Philippines team in their opening matches.

The Malaysian men raced to a 5-0 lead at the break before beating the Philippines 8-4 while the women’s team had to struggle somewhat before overcoming their counterparts from the Philippines 3-2.

In the men’s division, the scorers for Malaysia were Mohd Haris Muizzudin (2nd minute), Addie Azwan Zainal (11th and 14th and 18th minute penalty), Mohamad Feroz Abdul Karnim (15th), Muhamad Fadhil Yusoff (22nd and 30th) and Mohd Ruzaley Abd Aziz (26th).

Edward Mallari (28th), Gonzales Andres Crisanto (28th), Ali Bernard (33rd) and Ariel Zerrudo (38th minute penalty) scored for the Philippines.

The Malaysian women on the other hand, had to come back from an Ariel Marigen’s early strike in the 16th minute before they were able to carve out a 3-2 victory.

Rozana Roslan gave the Malaysian girls the equalizer in the 17th minute before
Noor Asyikin Mohd Noor landed a double with goals in the 27th and 28th minute.

A late reply from Limbo Farrabeth in the 30th minute failed to salvage the game for the Philippines.

In the meantime, Indonesia stole a valuable 2-1 win over Vietnam despite going down by an early goal from Ha Bao Minh in the 21st minute.

Indonesia made sure of the three points with goals off Angga Surya Saputra in the 25th minute and Denny Handoyo in the 33rd minute.