THAILAND-AUSTRALIA FINAL IN U19 MEET

Thailand will take on Australia in the final of the Asean Football Federation (AFF) Under-19 Championship on Wednesday at the Thong Nhat Stadium.

Thailand edged Malaysia 1-0 in the first semi-finals while Australia overcame hosts Vietnam 4-1 in the second semi-finals that was played today.

But the Malaysians had no one to blame for the defeat but themselves when they failed to make good on several clear chances early in the first half-half to hand the initiative to the Thais.

In the 11th minute, an incisive pass from Gary Robbat saw Thamil Arasu unleashing a shot which forced a fingertip save from Thai custodian Ukrit Wong meena.

Thailand replied with a shot from Ponlachai Hongthong following a cross from captain Surachet Ngamtip which was saved by Malaysia’s Mohd Khairul Izzuwan.

Within the space of the next ten minutes, the Malaysians had two of their attempts coming off the woodwork while Thailand finished the half with a dipping shot from Anucha Suksai.

“We had our chances but if we do not convert them, then we can’t blame anyone,” said Ong Kim Swee, the Malaysian head coach.

Thailand started the second half stronger and in the 55th minute, they duly grabbed the lead off a superbly taken free kick from Surachet.

In the 64th minute, Thailand almost doubled their lead when Chakrit Ravanprakon unleashed a stinger from the edged of the Malaysian box only to see it going past the crossbar.

The Malaysians then ended the afternoon with the sending off of defender Mohd Fadhli Shas for picking up his second yellow card in the same game.

“We did not play well in the first half but we were better in the second. Now we have to prepare better for the final,” said Chalermvud Sangnapol, the head coach of Thailand.

In the meantime, Australia maintained their composure to down Vietnam 4-1. 

U19 Australia reach final after trouncing U19 Vietnam 4-1

Vietnam carved the first real attempt of the game in the seventh minute through Nguyen Xuan Hung which came off the crossbar while Australia had a header from Eli Babilj off a cross from Peter Franjic narrowly missing the intended target.

It was Australia who went in front first when in the 28th minute, a cross from James Virgili was slammed into goal by Matthew Leckie at the far post.

But the lead did not last long for Australia when Nguyen Dinh Bao sent in a cross in the 34th minute which was perfectly headed into goal by Ha Minh Tuan.

“The players are a little bit inexperienced. They just could not control the tempo againstAustralia,” added Vo Hoang Buu, the head coach of Vietnam.

Playing later in the afternoon gave Australia the advantage and this evening, they proved that they have adjusted to the prevailing conditions to shut out Vietnam.

In the 70th minute, off a short pass from substitute Joshua Groenewald, winger Daniel Bowles slammed home from close range while in the 82nd minute, Virgili made good on a quick counter-attack.

The Aussies then completed the rout with their fourth goal in front of several thousand spectators from Groenewald after beating the offside trap.

“We have adjusted well to the weather here and today, you are looking at the real Australia,“ said Johannes Versleijen, the head coach for Australia. 

– aseanfootball.org –