EASY FOR VIETNAM AS MALAYSIA MAKE SEMIS

The Vietnamese, who had thumped both Philippines and Malaysia with identical 9-0 scores in their first two group matches, did not even have to go out of second gear to score five goals in the first before adding three more after the break.

“We were lucky to draw three weak teams in our group – Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia,” said Vietnam assistant coach Ngo Le Bang.

‘But it has its good points as well as the bad. The good thing is that we made the semi-finals with ease but the bad thing is that our team was not really challenged and that can be a problem in the semi-finals.

“And in the semi-finals we will be up against Thailand which I’ve felt all along to be the favourites for this year’s title.”

But credit should be given to the Indonesian girls where they stood hard and fast in the opening half hour to frustrate Vietnam and prevent them from putting the ball into the net.

In slippery conditions and in front of some 1,000 ardent fans, Vietnam finally turned the scoring machine for Bui Thi Tuyet Mai to head in the cross from Le Thi Hong Nga in the 31st minute.

That goal proved pivotal as Indonesia became increasingly under pressure to concede their second goal two minutes later when Tran Thi Kim Hong to beat marker Doris before slamming the ball home.

An own goal later from Doris allowed Vietnam to be more brazen to add two further goals just before the break off Bui Thi and Le Thi Hong Nga.

The second half saw Vietnam stepping off the gas a little to score only three goals from Le Thi Hong Nga and a second own goal from Indonesia’s Maesaroh for the final score line.

In the other Group A match, the two goals Malaysia scored in the first half was good enough to steer them into the semifinals.

Skipper Angela Kais, in the fifth minute, curled the freekick around the wall and watched in delight as it dipped into the top corner, well beyond the reach of keeper Nadia Galang.

Elizabeth Oyau doubled the score when she worked her way into the box, rounded the keeper and squeezed the ball between the defenders in the 31st minute.

After the break, especially in the last 15 minutes,it was the Philippines all the way. They changed their game plan and began to pressure the Malaysians.

With five minutes to go, Marilou Rubio, from outside the box, blasted towards goal and Nur Atiqa Lilia fumbled when retrieving the ball and it fell behind her into goal.

“The main thing is that we have achieved our target of making the next round. I salute our defenders who played very well especially in the second half when our opponents intensified their attacks,” said Malaysian coach Mohd Shah Alias Norbit.

“A mistake resulted in the goal we conceded, maybe it was due to some loss of concentration,” he said.

Philippines assistant coach, Alfredo Rey Lores, congratulated Malaysia. “They played better today while we had another occassion where we played well in one half,” he said referring to the match against Indonesia which they led 2-0 in the first half but eventually lost 3-2.

INDONESIA: Dorthe Kristina Rollo, Syane Stevelin Korwa, Ludia Ohee, Dopimina Kogoya, Katrina Wakur, Yunita Silver Nere, Konstantin Deda, Jenny Merlin Yansip, Astri Marice Ohee, Lenora Deda, Doris.

VIETNAM: Dang Thi Kieu Trinh, Nguyen Thi Nga, Nguyen Thi Thanh Huyen, Nguyen Thi Kim Tien, Tran Thi Kim Hong, Bui Thi Thuyet Mai, Nguyen Thi Chang, Doan Thi Kim Chi, Le Thi Thuong, Le Thi Hong Nga, Nguyen Thi Minh Nguyet.

PIC: Vietnam (in white) against Indonesia (in red)

FINAL GROUP A STANDING

1. VIETNAM 9pts (+26); 2. MALAYSIA 6pts (-6); 3. Indonesia 3pts (-9); 4. Philippines 0pt (-11)