PALEMBANG (6 May 2018) – Laos broke Indonesian hearts 2-0 in the crucial match of Group B to join Thailand in the semi-finals of the AFF Under-16 Girls’ Championship that was played at the Athletic Jaka Baring 1 Stadium.
Indonesia needed an outright win to make the cut to the next round while for Laos a draw would be enough to see them through.
And in the end, an early strike from Pe Pe in the fourth minute and then another from Inthida Khounsy 53rd settled things for Laos’s passage to the semi finals.
“It was a great game against the home team. It has been a very tough tournament and it was the same today,” said Loas head coach Ponethip Sengmany. “We are looking forward to playing in the next round for sure.”
“We have some problem with players not being well. It is not an excuse but it is what it is,” said Indonesian head coach Rudolf Nere.”We have had some good experience here even though it was disappointing not to make the semi finals.”
In the meantime, a hat trick from striker Janista Jinantuya propelled Thailand to win Group B.
Janista, who had already nailed five goals previously, grabbed three more on the day after Yadaporn Meelun’s opener at the Bumi Sriwijaya Stadium.
“The score is okay but I am not happy with the way they played,” said Thailand head coach Naruephon Kaenson. “Some of the players are not playing to their true ability. And that can be a problem in the semi-finals.”
With Cambodia already out of a place in the semi-finals, the game was a little slow off the gate as Cambodia played it defensive while Thailand could not find the right idea to break the last line.
It was not until the 24th minute that Thailand finally broke through when Yadaporn had the easiest of tap-ins following a cross from Janyaporn Phumang.
The Cambodians defended stoutly after that but just a minute into the second half in the 41st minute, their goal was breached again when Janista scored from the edge of the box.
By then, the competition was already over as Janista then added two further goals in the 55th and 76th minute for the handsome Thai win.
“It was always going to be tough for us playing against a team which is well organised and who have better technic,” said Cambodian head coach Meas Sam Ouern.
AFF UNDER-16 GIRLS’ CHAMPIONSHIP
RESULTS (Group B)
Thailand 4 Cambodia 0
Laos 2 Indonesia 0
FIXTURES (Group A)
7 May 2018 (Kick off at 1600hrs)
Myanmar vs Singapore (Bumi Sriwijaya)
Vietnam vs Philippines (Athletic Jaka Baring 1)
