Courtesy: AFF Official Web Site


AFF FUTSAL: Vietnam down Malaysia to claim group honours

April 23, 2012

BANGKOK (23 April 2012) – Vietnam emerged winners of Group A and in the process have likely avoided a premature battle with hosts Thailand in the crossover semifinals of the AFF Futsal Championship. The Vietnamese defeated the Malaysians, who had a player red-carded, 7-2 in an intense last group tie at the Bangkok Thonburi Stadium today.

“We have reached our initial target which is to make the semifinal,” said Sergio Gargelli, the chief coach of Vietnam.

Vietnam have completed their preliminary fixtures without dropping a point but Malaysia who have finished second will probably have to face the mighty Thai side in the semifinals on Wednesday.

Thailand and Indonesia will face each other in a later match today to determine the final positions in Group B.

In today’s match, Vietnam started strongly and were two goals up after six minutes thanks to strikes from Nguyen Hoang Giang and Pham Thanh Dat. The Malaysians levelled the score by the 15th minute when Ahmad Fawzul Hadzir and Muhammad Shamsul Akmar got their shots in.

Joy was short lived as Vietnam charged back in the 16th minute to regain the lead through Thanh Dat. Vietnam never looked back. Nguyen Bao Quan made it 4-2 at the break.

The battle increased in pace and intensity as both sides fought furiously to get the goals. But with about six minutes remaining, Ahmad Fawzul picked up a second booking and was sent off. Vietnam took advantage and scored through Luu Quynh Toan a minute later. They added two more goals (Nguyen Hoang Gia in the 37th and Nguyen Trong Thien in the 38 th minute) after that to seal a well-earned victory over the Malaysians.

In an earlier tie today, Cambodia defeated the Philippines 9-5 in their last Group A match today to complete their fixtures with at least one victory in the bag. For Cambodia, the win was also sweet as it propelled them from the last spot in the standings up to third.

The Philippines, Myanmar and Cambodia all have three points each from one victory.




Courtesy: AFF Official Web Site


AFF FUTSAL: Thais top group to set-up semis showdown with Malaysia, Vietnam will battle Indonesia

April 23, 2012

BANGKOK (23 April 2012) – After breezing through their first three matches and scoring a whopping 67 goals, Thailand faced their toughest opponents today in the form of a young and spirited Indonesian side.

Thailand claimed victory today but it did not come easy as Indonesia battled them all the way and restricted them to a 6-1 win at the Bangkok Thonburi Stadium this evening.

“This is the type of game I wanted. The first few matches were too easy, the players learn nothing,” said Victor Hermans, the chief coach of Thailand.

Thailand, seven-time AFF Futsal champions, have thus completed their fixtures with maximum points and are the Group B winners. The hosts will now face Malaysia, runners-up in the other group, in the semifinals on Wednesday.

Indonesia will take on Group A champions Vietnam in the other semis battle.

Thailand had a good start as nippy striker Kritsada Wongkaeo snatched possession away from a defender and rammed his team ahead. If the crowd was expecting the goals to flow in as in previous games, they were wrong as the Indonesians held their ground.

Skipper Randhyas Syamsul Bahri did a fine job marshalling his team but the skilful playmaker could only do so much against the massive Thai onslaught.

In the sixth minute, there was a bit of a scramble in front of goal and Apiwat Chaemcharoen somehow managed to flick it in. And then in the 10th minute, star player Suphawut Thueanklang, who usually has a knack for scoring early goals, finally got his name on the scoresheet. It was a brilliant goal as he latched on to a corner kick at the top of the box and first-timed his shot in.

Jetsada Chudech made it 4-0 before the whistle. But moments before that, Indonesia almost broke through however Karami Balfas could not keep his shot down.

Indonesia surprised the hosts three minutes after resumption when Nur Ali slipped one through. The Indonesians tried hard to contain their opponents but would concede two more goals – Piyapun Ratana (33rd) and Suphawut (34th) – before the end of the game.

In the meantime, a recharged Brunei swept past Timor Leste 5-4 in their final game in Group B this evening to pick up their first three points in the competition.

The Bruneians, who had the day off yesterday, were more fresh in attacking options, as Fachri Bangkul scored the lead on fourth minute to be followed by Mohd Faiz Hasnan (7th minute), Safwan Safri (10th) and Faizul Zaini (16th and 17th).

All four goals for the Timorese were scored by Manuel Pereira (6th, 8th, 23rd and 26th minute).




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