MANDALAY (15 Dec 2013) – Defending champions Vietnam booked their place in the semi-finals of the women’s football event here at the SEA Games when they edged hosts Myanmar 1-0 this afternoon at the Mandalar Thiri Stadium here.
A first half strike from Le Thu Tranh Huong in the 20th minute was enough for Vietnam to pick up their second full points in two matches. They had earlier blasted the Philippines 7-0.
“It was a very tough match for sure,” said Vietnam coach Chen Yun Fa afterwards. “The Myanmar girls were very disciplined and we were also up against the superb Myanmar crowd from the stand.”
Both teams had gone into the match on the back of victories over a hapless Philippines side, with hosts Myanmar certainly confident that they can at least give a fighting display for the one point.
But while Myanmar were pressing hard for the lead, it was Vietnam who found the back of the net when Le Thu Tranh Huong headed in the freekick from Tran Thi Kim Hong.
“We tried to contain their forward line since they have quick players and I thought that we did well as Vietnam could not do anything from open play,” said Myanmar coach Yoshinori Kumada.
In spite of the loss, Myanmar still made the cut for the semi-finals after finishing second in Group A.
GROUP A FINAL STANDINGS
|
No |
Team |
P |
W |
D |
L |
GF |
GA |
GD |
Pts |
|
1 |
VIETNAM |
2 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
8 |
0 |
+8 |
6 |
|
2 |
MYANMAR |
2 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
+1 |
3 |
|
3 |
PHILIPPINES |
2 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
9 |
-9 |
0 |
