NAYPYITAW (18 Dec 2013) – If there is one thing that Singapore coach Aide Iskandar can promise tomorrow in the semi-finals of the men’s football event at the Zeyar Thiri Stadium, it is that speed bumps will be provided for the Thai triumvirate of Pokklaw A Nan, Thitiphan Puangjan, Adisak Kraisorn.
Myanmar battled courageously but went down fighting to Thailand in a dramatic women’s SEA Games football semi-final clash that went the distance at the Mandalar Thiri Stadium in Mandalay tonight.
After coming back twice in regulation and extra time to draw level at 2-2, Myanmar eventually fell in the dreaded shootout, going down 9-8.
Thailand will now face Vietnam, who had earlier beaten Malaysia 4-0 in the other semifinal tie at the same venue, in the final on Friday.
The match between Myanmar and Thailand was a massive thriller complete with suspense and drama which had the 30,000 fans on the edge of their seats all the way to the end.
Possibly the biggest turnout for a women’s match in this region, the fans were treated to an awesome performance by players from both teams.
All that was missing was a fairy tale ending the fans were dreaming of. Despite their best efforts, the Myanmar girls were unable to make it through and will now have to settle for the bronze at best.
Tonight, with expectations running exceptionally high, especially after the men’s team missed the semifinals, the fans did not have to wait too long to celebrate. Within seconds of the start, the Myanmar girls shot into action. Then the drama began.
Striker Than Than Htwe slammed in a clearance from the keeper which resulted in a tremendous roar from the fans in the 12th minute.
To their dismay, the assistant referee ruled it offside and the goal was disallowed. The fans were clearly not happy and disputed the decision which would lead to other problems later in the game.
Several minutes later, in the 20th minute to be exact, Thailand’s Warunee Phetwiset appeared to beat the offside trap and scored. The Myanmar bench protested and soon some disgruntled fans began hurling objects.
The Myanmar players refused to be upset with the goal and pressed forward in search of the equalizer.
Soon after the second half began some fans on the opposite site of the bench started hurling objects at the Thai bench. That caused the game to be stopped for several minutes.
After appeals from the local officials on the PA system, the fans cooled down. Myanmar pressed on. With time virtually up and two minutes remaining on the clock, Moe Moe War rocked the stadium when she scrambled the goal across the line.
In extratime, in the 104th minute, Thailand went ahead again, this time through Kwanruethai Kunupatham who easily turned in a flick from Kanjana Sungngoen.
Still, Myanmar never gave up and with four minutes to go, Yee Yee Oo did the unthinkable when she whacked in the equalizer. The Thais argued the ball did not cross the line, but the referee ruled otherwise.
Then came the dreaded shootout. After the five mandatory penalty kicks, the teams were tied at 4-4.
Actually, Myanmar could have sealed the win after Thailand’s fifth kicker Nisa Romyen shot was saved by Mya Phu Ngon. Under tremendous pressure, Myanmar’s fifth kicker, Moe Moe War, smashed her shot into the right post.
The players from both sides continued to score but on the 10th kick, Myanmar’s Zin Mar Win hesitated and her shot was well read by Thai keeper Waraporn Boosing and saved.
The suspense was too much for the fans, and that included a team official on the bench who fainted. The Myanmar fans, despite being upset over the loss, accepted the decision and cheered their heroes as they left the pitch.
