VIETNAM-THAILAND FINAL IN WOMEN FOOTBALL

Hosts Thailand did not have to suffer any anxious moment in their semi-final tie against Laos when they easily walked away with an 8-0 victory.

The semi final match between Vietnam – the defending champions at the last SEA Games and the recently crowned AFF champions Myanmar – was certainly one of the much expected encounters in the championship.

Myanmar who have produced some scintillating performance in the preliminary round were ‘favourite’ to win the tie but the game turned out quite differently than expected.

It was all action from the very first whistle as the Vietnamese girls showed their intentions with a very committed display.

And they nearly scored in the very first minute of the game when wing back Kim Hong blasted in from the right flank only to have her shot blocked.

For the first fifteen minutes of the game, the Vietnamese dominated play by utilising a 3-5-2 formation to attack down the flanks to give problems to their opponents.

Myanmar, out played for much of the first half surprisingly took the lead against the run of play when off a corner San Yu Naing homed in to the top right corner of the Vietnamese goal in the 41st minute.

The pep talk at the break seem to give the Vietnamese side inspiration in the second half when off a well-rehearsed move down the left, captain Doan Thi Kim Chito turned the ball in for the equaliser in the 49th minute.

Vietnam who were placed in an easier group with the Philippines and Laos, clearly looked fresher in this match whereas the Myanmar girls looked tired especially when they had to play in extra-time following the 1-1 draw at the end of regulation.

And in the end it was a very tired defence who failed to fend off the strong running from Nguyen Thi Minh Nguyet as she slammed home the winner in the 101st minute of extra-time.

The Thais on the other hand had little difficulty of disposing of Laos for a place in the final when they came off with an easy 8-0 win.
The scorers for Thailand were Nisa Romyen (10th and 59th minute), Junpen Seesraum (36th and 75th minute), Anootsara Maijarern (50th minute), Suphaphon Kaeobaen (61st minute), Pitsmai Sornsai (69th minute) and Kitiya Thiangtham three minutes to the end.

With the win, the women’s team of Thailand will play Vietnam in the final match of the tournament on Dec 13 while Myanmar will entertain Laos in the fight for third placing.