LAOS AND SINGAPORE IN SEMI-FINALS

With the score tied all event at the end of a pulsating encounter, Laos won the group with five points from a win and two drawn matches – the same with Singapore.

But the hosts emerged at the top of the standings on a better one goal difference as compared to the Young Lions.

In the match that was played at the Main Stadium, the sell-out crowd had expected Laos to put up a grand show and beat Singapore following their 2-0 win over Indonesia in their last match.

But considering what was at stake where a defeat might have just allowed Myanmar – who beat Indonesia 3-1 earlier – to sneak in, both teams were not risking too much.

Chances were far and in between as the action were restricted to the middle of the park as both teams let the clock trickled down to the final whistle for their safe passage into the next round.

In the meantime, it was a futile victory for Myanmar when they beat Indonesia 3-1 in an earlier Group B match.

The game began on an earnest note and in the sixth minute, Myanmar got their first goal of the game off a penalty from Tun Tun Win who sent Indonesian keeper Frenky Irawan the wrong way.

Pai Soe got a chance in the eighth minute to add to the tally but he totally ballooned his effort while five minutes later, captain Khin Maung Lwin’s effort came off from the underside of the crossbar.

Indonesia then replied with a free kick from Stevie Bonsapia in the 17th minute which went wide while a header from Rendy some moments later did not find its intended target as the half ended to their disadvantage.

Myanmar began the second half on a strong note in the 52nd minute when Pai Soe slammed home from close range off a pass from Tun Tun Win before Indonesia gave themselves a lifeline with their first goal in the 74th minute after Stevie latched on to a cross from Ruben Sanadi.

But there was no way back for Indonesia when Myanmar put the game beyond reach with the third goal of the game nine minutes to the end – off a superb shot from outside the left flank with the inside of his right foot from Moe Win.

GROUPINGS

Group A: Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Timor Leste, Cambodia

Group B: Laos, Myanmar, Singapore, Indonesia

RESULTS AND FIXTURES

2 Dec (Main Stadium): MALAYSIA 11 TIMOR LESTE 0/ THAILAND 1 VIETNAM 1

4 Dec (Chao Anu Vong Stadium): THAILAND 4 CAMBODIA 0/ VIETNAM 4 TIMOR LESTE 0

5 Dec (Main Stadium): SINGAPORE 2 INDONESIA 2/ LAOS 1 MYANMAR 1

6 Dec (Main Stadium): VIETNAM 3 MALAYSIA 1/ TIMOR LESTE CAMBODIA

7 Dec (Chao Anu Vong Stadium): MYANMAR 1 SINGAPORE 2/ INDONESIA 0 LAOS 2

8 Dec (Chao Anu Vong Stadium): TIMOR LESTE 0 THAILAND 9/ CAMBODIA 0 MALAYSIA 4

10 Dec (Main Stadium): MYANMAR 3 INDONESIA 1/ LAOS 0 SINGAPORE 0

11 Dec (Chao Anu Vong Stadium): Cambodia vs Vietnam (1500hrs)/ Malaysia vs Thailand (1745hrs)

14 Dec (Chao Anu Vong Stadium): Semi-finals

17 Dec: Third/ Fourth Placing (1500hrs at Chao Anu Vong Stadium)/ FINAL (1700hrs at Main Stadium)

GROUP A (Current standings)

1. THAILAND 7pts (+13)

2. VIETNAM 7pts (+6)

3. MALAYSIA 6pts ( +13)

4. CAMBODIA 3pts (-5)

5. TIMOR LESTE 0pt (-27)

GROUP B (Final standings)

1. LAOS 5pts (+2)

2. SINGAPORE 5pts (+1)

3. MYANMAR 4pt (+1)

4. INDONESIA 1pt (-4)