MYANMAR VIRTUALLY IN SEMIS; SLIM CHANCE FOR LAOS

All that’s preventing Myanmar from celebrating is the fact that Laos still have a mathematical chance of going through.

But for that to happen, Laos will have to upstage hosts and current unbeaten group leaders Vietnam in their final preliminary match on Thursday.

With a negative four-goal difference of their own and Vietnam’s plus 17 goals, Laos will have to score one massive victory.

Laos, who defeated Indonesia but suffered a big loss to Myanmar in earlier group matches, scored their biggest win of this tournament today when they defeated Malaysia 3-1.

With Australia as their likely semi-final opponents, Myanmar turned in a convincing performance against the hard-working Indonesian team.

Myanmar raced to a 4-0 lead in the first half but struggled after the break when Indonesia fought back.

Myanmar hit the first goal through My Nilar Htwe after only two minutes.

Thida Oo coolly turned in a corner kick from Aye Nandar Hlaing in the 26th minute while ThanThan Htwe smashed home Myanmar’s third on the half hour mark.

To Indonesia’s dismay, defender San San Thein’s long shot dipped over the goalkeeper Doethea Rollo six minutes from the interval.

Indonesia replaced Dorthea with Efie Iswandari in the 42nd minute and it turned out to be a good move as the stand-in custodian performed superbly to stop numerous strikes from the Myanmar forwards.

Efie must have stopped at least six or seven clear chances.

The Myanmar strikers were also frustrated with three attempts, from Thida, Naw Ar Lo Wer Phaw and Than Htwe, all coming off the post.

With time almost up, the tired Indonesians conceded two goals in the 90th and 91st minutes through Aye Aye Mar and Wer Phaw.

In the earlier Group A match, Laos won their second tie of the tournament when they defeated Malaysia 3-1.

Laos started the game well with nippy striker Souphavanh Phayvanh claiming the opening goal in the seventh minute.

The Malaysians fought back courageously and their defence came together after letting the first goal slip by.

Goalkeeper Ranie Paul and defender Rozeinie Du Sileh were in excellent form as they turned away the many attempts by the Laos forwards.

Laos was awarded a freekick on the right of the box in the 73rd minute.

Sochitta Phonhalath, who is the team’s freekick specialist, lived up to her reputation when her shot dipped over the Malaysian custodian.

Malaysia surprised their opponents when a superb cross from Rozeinie found Atin Surang who eased past the defence to score her team’s first goal of the tournament.

As Malaysia went in search of the equaliser, leaving themselves loose at the back, Souphavanh stole away and nailed her second goal of the match.

TODAY’S RESULTS
Group A: Laos 3 Malaysia 1, Indonesia 0 Myanmar 6

REMAINING FIXTURES
Oct 16: Group A – Malaysia vs Indonesia, Laos vs Vietnam
Oct 18: SEMIFINALS
Oct 20: FINAL

STANDINGS

Group A
Vietnam 9pts (+17)
Myanmar 9pts (+18)
Laos 6pts (-4)
Indonesia 0pt (-11)
Malaysia 0pt (-18)

Group B
Australia 9pts (+15)
Thailand 6pts (+16)
Philippines 3pts (-17)
Singapore 0pt (-14)

PIC: Myanmar (in white kit) against Indonesia (in red kit)