SURABAYA– Hosts Indonesia advanced to the semi-finals of the AFF Under-19 Championship despite sharing points with Malaysia in their last group stage match here at the Gelora Delta Sidoarjo Stadium, Wednesday night (18 Sept).
For their efforts, the Indonesian Under-19 team, also known as Garuda Jaya, will face rivals Timor Leste in what is expected to be a thrilling semi-final clash. The other semi-final encounter will be a battle between Vietnam and Laos.
On Wednesday, in front of a massive crowd of around 10,000, the Malaysians surprised the home side by taking the lead with a strike from Muhammad Jafri in the 19th minute but Indonesia soon recovered to net the all-important equaliser through Ilham Udin Armayn in the 53rd minute.
Indonesia, who only needed a draw while Malaysia had to win to qualify, have 10 points to claim the second spot in Group B and a place in the last four. Malaysia settled for third spot with eight points.
At the Petrokimia Gresik Stadium earlier Wednesday, Vietnam, who had finished as the group champions even before the Brunei match, raced away to a 6-1 win. Vietnam completed the fixtures unbeaten and top the standings with a maximum 15 points.
Despite resting several key players, Vietnam virtually sealed matters in the first half when they took up a three-goal lead. Truong Van Thiet snatched the lead in the seventh minute and Pham Trum Thinh followed up with a second in the 34th minute. Nguyen Minh Thai turned in a corner kick three minutes from the break. Vietnam could have been four-goals up but goalkeeper Phi Minh Long’s penalty struck the crossbar.
Vietnam’s scorers after the break were Phan Than Hau (47th), Lam Thi Phong (58th) and Pham Trun Tinh (86th). Brunei’s only goal was netted by Faiq Jefri Bolkiah in the 70th minute.
In an earlier match at the Gelora Delta Sidoarjo , Thailandand Myanmar battled all the way and ended sharing points in a thrilling 4-4 draw. Both teams however failed to make the cut.
Myanmar struck a second-minute goal and soon stormed to a three-goal lead before Thailand replied with two just before the break. Yan Naing Oo (2nd), Saw Si I (23rd) and Than Paing (29th) were the first three on the scoresheet while Thailand’s goals were from Chaowat Veerachart (36th) and Tanadol Jansawang (44th).
Tanadol was on target twice in the second half in the 62nd and 67th minutes to complete his hattrick and give Thailand a 4-3 lead. But three minutes before time, Naing Oo struck the equaliser for Myanmar.
RESULTS – Group B
Brunei 1 Vietnam 6
Indonesia 1 Malaysia 1
Thailand 4 Myanmar 4
Group B Final Standings
|
Teams |
P |
W |
D |
L |
GF |
GA |
GD |
PTS |
|
Vietnam |
5 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
15 |
5 |
10 |
15 |
|
Indonesia |
5 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
12 |
5 |
7 |
10 |
|
Malaysia |
5 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
9 |
4 |
5 |
8 |
|
Myanmar |
5 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
13 |
10 |
3 |
5 |
|
Thailand |
5 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
16 |
12 |
4 |
4 |
|
BruneiDS |
5 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
1 |
30 |
-29 |
0 |
*Teams in bold qualify for semi-finals
SEMIFINAL FIXTURES
Friday: Timor Leste vs Indonesia, Vietnam vs Laos