24 october
THE Thailand futsal team dominated the 2019 AFF Futsal Championship group phase with a big win over Myanmar yesterday at the Phu Tho Indoor Stadium, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam. With Myanmar ending the group stage as the runner-up, it has secured a place in the semifinals.
Both Myanmar and Thai-land were placed in Group A for the tourney. Interestingly, in the first round, Thailand were over-whelmed by Myanmar’s defense. Several times, Kritsada Wongkaeo and his teammates failed to convert their goal chances. Myanmar goalkeeper Kyaw Htet Aung put up a tough fight and made a difference in the team’s chances.
But, Thailand’s Warut Wangsamaaeo managed to score the first goal for the team at the 16th minute, and the score remained 1-0 till the end of the first half.
In the second half, Myanmar players displayed some loss of concentration, helping Thailand secure a solid 9-0 win. In the second half, Thailand quickly chalked up goals, with Jirawat Sornwichian scoring at 21 minutes, Suphawut Thueanklang at 23 minutes, Warut Wangsamaaeo at 25 minutes, and Jetsada Chudech at 27 minutes. Myanmar tried to use power play, but it failed to produce results and instead helped the opposing team gain four more goals. The goals for Thailand were scored by Kritsada Wongkaeo at 32 minutes, Nat-tawut Madyalan at 34 minutes, Pornmongkol Srisubseang at 39 minutes, and Watchara Laisri at 40 minutes. The match ended with a landslide score of 9-0 for Thailand, which put them on top of Group A. Myanmar ended the group stage as runner-up. Thai-land will next face the Group B runner-up, while Myanmar will face the Group B winner. The winner and runner-up for Group B will be decided in the upcoming match between host Viet Nam and Indonesia.
Lynn Thit (Tgi)
