VIENTIANE (22 Aug 2015) – There were no goals to show but hosts Laos and Cambodia played out a thrilling AFF Under-19 Championship Group A match at the National Sports Complex here tonight. It was action-packed from the start with numerous chances at both ends, however, neither side was able to get their shots in.
With the draw, Laos and Cambodia are joint second in the group behind the Philippines who won the opening match today. The Filipinos edged Brunei 2-1 earlier in the afternoon. Thailand, the other team in Group A and among the favourites here, did not play today and will make their first appearance against Laos in two days.
Laos had the better share of possession but will really have to work on their finishing. Their coach, Phan Ton Loi felt his team should have collected full points. “It was a good game but we should have won. We have to improve for the coming games and hopefully we can collect full points.”
Following the opening win by the Philippines, the hosts were somewhat under pressure to deliver a positive result against Cambodia in the second match of the day. As expected, they came out fighting and wasted no time trying to hunt down the opening goal.
They had their first whiff at goal in the sixth minute when they received a freekick from the left of the box. Sayfa Aphideth whipped it in to Sonesavanh Vanaxay but he failed to get a clean shot in. Lathasay Lounlasy was next to have a crack but his header in the 20th minute was just off the mark.
As the first half was winding down, Laos made a final push for goal. Two minutes from the end, Maitee raced down to the left and despite the narrow angle, managed to get his shot in but it was saved. The very next minute, Cambodia had a chance from a similar position, but Touch Roma skied the shot.
Laos had one more chance in the last minute. Ouch Panhaseth sent Touch Roma speeding down the left before unleashing a low cross into the box. To the dismay of the fans, Maitee connected just a shade too late, sending his shot crashing into the crossbar.
It was the same story after the break as both sides missed their chances. In the 64th minute, Maitee was menacing again down the left. He stormed through the defence and unleashed a solid shot which the keeper somehow managed to push out.
A few minutes later, Cambodia had a freekick just to the left of the box after Touch Roma was brought down. Pum Darang pounded the shot superbly but as it was ripping towards the top left corner of the goal, goalkeeper Saymanolinh Paseuth managed to palm it away.
Cambodian coach Hok Sochivorn said both teams had a good game. “There was good play, good discipline from both sides. But this is not enough for us. We need to work harder in the coming matches.”
TOMORROW’S FIXTURES
Aug 23 (Group B)
4.00pm: Singapore vs Myanmar
7.00pm: Malaysia vs Timor Leste
Aug 24 (Group A)
4.00pm: Cambodia vs Brunei
7.00pm: Laos vs Thailand
Aug 25 (Group B)
4.00pm: Timor Leste vs Vietnam
7.00pm: Malaysia vs Singapore
Aug 26 (Group A)
4.00pm: Laos vs Brunei
7.00pm: Thailand vs Philippines
Note: For full fixtures and details, please go to www.aseanfootball.org
