Courtesy: AFF Official Web Site


AFF FUTSAL: Another double-digit win for Thais, Vietnam beat Myanmar

April 21, 2012

BANGKOK (21 April 2012) – Thailand, the seven-times AFF Futsal champions, showed their awesome form by completing a second successive double-digit victory at the Bangkok Thonburi Stadium this afternoon. Their latest victims were Laos who suffered a 26-2 loss today.

Thailand, who demolished Brunei 22-0 yesterday, are top of Group B with six points and virtually through to the semifinals. Once again, the attention was on star playmaker Suphawut Thuean, who did not disappoint the fans. It took the skilful player just 21 seconds to score the opening goal.

Within five minutes, the score was already 5-0 and that number kept on rising until the break when it stood at 14-0. In all, Suphawut had scored six goals including a cheeky back-heel strike in the 23rd minute that had the fans on their feet.

The nippy Kritsada Wongkaeo also had six goals today while the others were from Jirawat Sornwichia (2), Apiwat Chaemcha (3), Aref Ahamah (3), Jetsada Chudech (4) and one each from Thanakorn Penpakul and Nattawat Luksanato.

Laos, for their untiring efforts, finally broke through to score in the 26th minute. The goal was netted by Chanthavong who slammed the shot from close range. Saysana Inthavong did well to sneak in a second goal in the 38th minute. With today’s loss, Laos, who have lost twice so far, are out of the running although they have one more tie against Indonesia tomorrow.

Thailand have two more matches remaining against Timor Leste including an interesting last group game against Indonesia which will decide the winner of the group.

In the first match today, Vietnam moved to the top of Group A after securing their second successive victory here when they defeated Myanmar 3-0. Yesterday, Vietnam beat the Philippines 6-1 for their first three points. But their hopes of remaining group leaders will depend on the outcome of this evening’s other Group A match between Malaysia and the Philippines.

For Myanmar, the defeat was their second in three matches and has made their chances of moving forward difficult. Myanmar had started well but as the match progressed, Vietnam began to take charge. Finally, after 13 minutes of trying to break through, it took a long-range shot from Luu Quynh Toan to crack the defence open.

Soon after the break, Vietnam went further ahead when Nguyen Quoc Bao’s powerful grounder sailed in. Tran Van Vu sealed it with a vicious freekick from the edge of the semi-circle. Vietnam were awarded the freekick after goalkeeper Aye Min Min Oo handled the ball outside the semi-circle.



Courtesy: AFF Official Web Site


AFF FUTSAL: Malaysia, Indonesia edge closer to the semis

April 21, 2012

BANGKOK (21 April 2012) – Malaysia came alive after the break to hit four goals past the Philippines and hang on to the lead in Group A of the AFF Futsal Championship at the Bangkok Thonburi Stadium here today. Today’s hard-earned 4-1 win was Malaysia’s second after whipping Cambodia 8-0 yesterday.

Vietnam briefly took the group lead when they won their match against Myanmar this morning but had to relinquish it this evening when Malaysia also picked up full points. Both have six points each but Malaysia have a better average. With two more games to go, the two are best placed to advance to the semifinals.

In the first half the Malaysians had a number of shots at goal but were unable to make them count. The Filipinos had a brilliant chance to snatch the lead in the seventh minute when a defensive fumble saw a quick thinking Ahmad Fawzul Hadzir bring down skipper Misagh Medina Bahadoran just outside the semi-circle.

Misagh however failed to translate the freekick into a goal.

In the last four minutes of the first half, Ahmad Fawzul and Muhammad Fariq Mohammad both missed opportunities to score.

Malaysia emerged stronger after the break and before long were celebrating their first goal. Muizzudin Mohd Haris easily slipped the ball in after being set-up by Mohd Asmie in the 24th minute.

Just past the half hour mark, Zubaidee Alwee charged in from the left and rifled his shot past the goalkeeper. With six minutes to go, Qaiser Heshaam Abdul Kadir let loose a stiff shot that hit the underside of the crossbar and bounced across the goal line.

The Filipinos had several chances themselves but Misagh and Sajad Allan Aquino Khodarahmi failed to hit the target. But with time running out, Misagh managed to waltz through the Malaysian defence to score. But any hopes of a late comeback were ended when Ahmad Fawzul placed it beyond goalkeeper Daryoush Rey Zandi.

In the last match of the third day of competition, Indonesia bagged their second win of the tournament with a convincing 9-2 defeat of Brunei tonight.

In the first half, Andri Kustiawan netted three goals while Syahidansyah Lubis scored twice with skipper Randhyas Syamsul Bahri slotting in the other.

After the break, Ismail scored twice while Randhyas scored another. Brunei replied with strikes from Faizul Jery Zaini and Noor Raimi Syahremy Karim.

With six points, Indonesia are tied with hosts Thailand but are second in the standings on a weaker goal average. Brunei are out after three losses and have one more match against Timor Leste to complete their group fixtures.




Posted by Luca Ranocchiari --> luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com