MYANMAR SCALP LAOS TO JOIN THAILAND IN THE SEMIS

The two teams advanced despite having one more preliminary match to play.

Thailand made the cut after mauling Singapore 8-0 in the first group game of the day while Myanmar snatched the other spot by beating Laos 7-0 at the Youth Training Centre Stadium here today.

Thailand and Myanmar will face off on Monday to determine which teams claims the top spot in the group and possibly avoiding an early showdown against defending champions Vietnam, who are likely to top Group A.

In the second match today, Myanmar went hunting for goals in the hope of improving their goal average. But Laos would have none of that and battled furiously throughout the match.

Still, Myanmar, who defeated Singapore 3-0 in their opening match two days ago, pressed on and were rewarded with their first goal in the 10th minute from My Nilar Htwe.

More hardwork and persistence helped the local gals to a second goal, this time from Aye Nandar Hlaing 16 minutes later.

But that was all they could muster before the break. And that was due to the spirited performance of the Laos girls.

Compared to their first match where they fell apart early, the Laos players combined well to stave off the Myanmar attacks.

In the final half after the break, Myanmar took advantage of the tiring Laos girls to reel in five goals.

After Nandar Hlaing netted the third goal in the 52nd minute, the Myanmar fans had to wait until the 66th minute when Khin Malar Tun scored to celebrate again.

Malar Tun made it 5-0 in the 72nd minute while Margrat Marri added another during a melee in the 80th minute.

Nandar Hlaing completed her hattrick with five minutes to seal Myanmar’s place in the semifinals.

Laos coach Xeunsavanh Sivisay was delighted with the performance of his girls.

“My players did well, the used the experienced they gained from the first match today, you could see how they defended better and played better overall. We had a good first half but in the second, our girls, due to their smaller physiques started to pick up injuries and that affected our game,’ said Xeunsavanh, a former international.

He added that Laos were drawn in a tough group and he felt that had they been in the other group, they would have had a chance of making the semis.

“It’s true, the other group does not have as many strong teams and we could have made the semis. For us now, we are aiming to finish third, its better than finishing fourth.”

Myanmar coach U Aye Kyu said his players were excited in the first half.

“They improved after the break and managed to score the goals. I also could not substitute the players as we needed the goals, as a result, three of our regulars have now been booked. Against Thailand, we have no choice but to try and beat them.”

MYANMAR: May Khin Ya Min, San San Thien, San San Maw (c), Su Su Wai, Moe Moe War, Than Than Htwe, San Yu Naing, My Nilar Htwe, Khin MalarTun, Aye Nandar Hlaing, Zin Mar Wann.

LAOS:

Tomorrow’s fixtures

1530: Indonesia vs Philippines
1745: Vietnam vs Malaysia
All matches at the Youth Training Centre Stadium