HO CHI MINH CITY (10 May 2015) – Rattikan Thongsombut nailed a late winner as Thailand lifted the AFF Women’s Championship for two years in a row after beating Myanmar 3-2 in the final that was played here tonight at the Thong Nhat Stadium.
“It is fantastic to win of course,” said Thai coach Nuengrutai Srathonvian afterwards. “It is just the right tonic ahead of our appearance at the FIFA World Cup next month.”
Showing no let up from their semi-final appearance, Thailand was pushing hard from the get-go as they fielded all their best players that included Sunisa Srangthaisong, Nisa Romyen and also Anootsara Maijarern.
But it was to be the hardworking Kanjana Sung Ngoen who caused the most damage to Myanmar’s title aspiration with her hard running down the left flank.
As Myanmar absorbed the early pressure, they were finding it hard to break into the Thai box although Khin Marlar Tun and also Yee Yee Oo did get a sniff of getting a shot in.
With chances far in between, it was Thailand who broke the deadlock in the 37th minute off an earlier attempt from Nisa that was blocked by Myanmar keeper May Phu Ngon, the waiting Kanjanam slammed in the ball from the far post.
Four minutes later, Nisa could have put the game beyond Myanmar’s reach but with Phu Ngon beaten, she just could not fire the ball in from an acute angle.
Myanmar finished the first half with the best chance of the first half where off a lay up from Marlar Tun, striker Yee Oo just could not placed her header past Thai custodian Waraporn Boonsing.
A mad scramble inside the Thai box in the 56th minute allowed Khin Moe Wai to toe poke the equalizer as Myanmar grew in confidence to push forward.
But the Thais were not to be outdone and in the 65th minute, a looping header from Nisa off a cross from Anootsara saw Thailand restoring their lead.
In the 71st minute, Win Theingi Tun once again put Myanmar on lever terms before Rattikan broke from the right to score with a stiff grounder four minutes later.
RESULTS – 10 May 2015
THIRD and FOURTH PLACING: Australia U20 4 Vietnam 3
FINAL: Myanmar 2 Thailand 3
Thailand (in all blue) up against Myanmar (in all red)
Champs Thailand
Myanmar came in second
Australia finished third
