AUSTRALIA IMPRESS WITH 14 GOALS , VIETNAM INCH CLOSER TO THE SEMIS

Australia and Vietnam, clearly the two strongest teams in Group B, cruised through their opening AFF Under-16 Women’s Championship matches today, resoundingly beating the Philippines and Myanmar B, at the Aung San Stadium here.

The Aussies, the pre-tournament favourites, walked away with a comfortable 14-0 win whileVietnam celebrated a well deserved 5-0 victory today.

Today’s result moved the two winners a step closer to the semifinals while Myanmar B and the Philippines have to win their next group matches to remain in contention.

Australia’s huge victory, buoyed by four goals from substitute Caitlin Friend, was the second biggest scoreline in the tournament.

Myanmar A and Thailand had scored similar 15-0 wins over their rivals the previous day.

Vietnam, as expected, took the fight to their opponents.

And after just four minutes, Vietnam were able to breach the defence and score the opening goal through Vu Thi Thuy.

As the game progressed, Thi Thuy turned out to be a thorn in Myanmar B’s side, constantly taking shots and splitting the defence as she went in search for more goals.

Despite some good work from the Myanmar defenders, they could do little to stop Vietnamfrom adding on to the goal tally.

By the 30th minute, Vietnam were three goals up, thanks to two lively strikes from Phan Thi Trang.

After the third goal, team manager U Soe Myint Lwin, who was watching from the stands, came down to offer some advise to the coach.

The score remained 3-0 till the break. Vietnam added two more goals in the second half, through Nguyen Thi Tuyet Dung and Pham Hai Yen in the 74th and 89th minutes.

Vietnam could have scored more had it not been for the untiring efforts of the Myanmar players who fought to the very end.

Vietnam coach Tran Ngoc Thai Tuan was delighted with the win.

“It’s a good start but the weather was tough on the players.”

Myanmar B coach U Win Sein said the experience would help his players.

“They are a young side which was assembled just two weeks ago. We are here for the experience.”

In the second match, Australia proved too strong for the Philippines.

Their physical advantage aside, the Aussies displayed exceptional skill and maturity in their game to brush aside the hardworking Filipinas.

To their credit, Philippines goalkeeper Inna Palacios and defenders Dominique Scott and Marie Navea-Huff turned away numerous attempts, especially in the first half, limiting the Aussies to six goals.

Australia got the show off the ground with an eighth minute opener from Teigen Allen.

Heidi Makrillos followed up with two quick goals, in the 13th and 15th minutes while Samantha Kerr made 4-0 in the 39th minute.

Alanna Kennedy and Caitlin Friend made it 6-0 in the last three minutes of the first half.

It was Australia again in the second half with eight more goals – Ashlee Faul (56th), Alanna Kennedy (61st, 90th), Teigen Allen (70th), Caitlin Friend (74th, 79th, 81st) and Brittany Whitfield.

“The score was not important, it was the way the players executed what they had learnt in training that was more important,” said coach Robert Hooker.

Australia face Vietnam next while Myanmar B takes on the Philippines on Monday.

REMAINING FIXTURES

Tomorrow: Myanmar A vs Thailand (3.30pm), Indonesia vs Malaysia (6.00pm)

Oct 12: Myanmar B vs Philippines (3.30pm) Australia vs Vietnam (6.00pm)

Oct 13: Myanmar A vs Indonesia (3.30pm), Malaysia vs Thailand (6.00pm)

Oct 14: Myanmar B vs Australia (3.30pm), Vietnam vs Philippines (6.00pm)

Oct 16: Semi-finals

Oct 18: Final

RESULTS

Oct 9 – Group A: Myanmar A bt Malaysia 15-0, Thailand bt Indonesia 15-0

Oct 10 – Group B: Vietnam bt Myanmar B 5-0, Australia bt Philippines 14-0