KORAT (18 June 2019) – It was a frantic start to the AFF Futsal Cup 2019 here at Terminal 21 Korat as Black Steel Manokwari and Chonburi battled to a 5-5 stalemate while MIU FC made a smashing start to their campaign when they blasted Melaka United 7-2.
In front of more than 2,000 fans here in Korat, home town heroes Chonburi Bluewave had to put on the heroics before they were able to share the spoils with Black Steel from Indonesia.
“I thought that the game could have gone either way,” said Black Steel goalkeeper Muhammad Albagir afterward.” Either side could have taken the full points.”
Featuring a handful of current and former Thai internationals, there were expectations that Chonburi would be unleashed against Black Steel. But that was not to be be.
After absorbing the early pressure, it was Black Steel who went ahead in the ninth minute with the skilful Holypaul Septinus Soumilena blasting in from close range before Thai international Suphawut Thueanklang then restored parity four minutes later.
The game then went into a see saw with both teams trading blows for blows for the score to stand at 4-3 to Black Steel’s advantage at the half.
The scorers for Black Steel were Holypaul in the 13th minute, Samuel Eko Putra Tampubolon (18th) and Rio Pangestu Putra (19th) as Chonburi replied through Suphawut (19th) and Nattavut Madyalan (16th).
The furious pace continued into the second with Chonburi finally making their mark to take the lead for the first time off goals from Nattavut (23rd) and Tiago Selbach (27th).
But Black Steel’s persistence paid off in the end with Holypaul’s brilliant ball control to draw level right at the hour mark.
In the meantime, Melaka United’s decision to send a young team did not pan out as expected when they were given some valuable lessons from Myanmar Imperial University (MIU).
Just two minutes in and Melaka United were already trailing off Kyaw Kyaw Tun fine finish.
And although they were quick to reply with the equaliser through Muhammad Ekmal Shahrin a minute later, they just could not resist MIC for long period as the latter went on to score almost at will.
MIU FC found the target off Pyae Phyo Maung’s hat trick (4th, 7th and 26th minute), Kyaw Tun 12th, Pyae Phyo Maung (20th) and Hlaing Min Tun (27th).
Melaka United’s other goal was scored by Najmi Rosli in the 39th minute.
“It was just the start we were looking for,” quipped MIU team manager Zaw Thu Maung.
RESULTS – 18 June 2019
Black Steel Manokwari 5 PTT Chonburi Bluewave 5
Melaka United 2 Myanmar Imperial University 7
FIXTURES – 19 June 2019
All matches at Terminal 21 Hall Korat
1400: Sanvinest Sanatech Khanh Hoa vs Black Steel Manokwari
1600: Down Town Sport vs Melaka United
