A whopping 19 goals were scored on the first day of competition of the AFF Women’s Championship here in Palembang as four teams from Group A took to the field.
Following from Uder-20 Australia’s 7-0 whipping of Malaysia in the first game, the Cambodian girls made a fabulous debut in the meet this year with a 12-0 thrashing of Timor Lesre.
The score at the break at the Bumi Sriwijaya Stadium was 7-0.
“Good start. Good score. I have no complain,” quipped Cambodian head coach Meas Sam Oeurn.
Captain Hout Koemhong led by example when she blasted in six goals (9th, 20th, 27th, 39th, 58h and 64th minute). The rest of the goals were scored by Ban Cheavey (12th, 37th and 46th), Poeurn Kunthea (61st), Norn Minea (62nd) and Chay Sreyleab (69th).
The win allowed Cambodia to take the top spot in Group A.
In an earlier match, the Australian U20 side thumped Malaysia 7-0 as they finished the day on second in the group.
The match was barely 10seconds old when striker Alexander Chidiac charged in to score the first goal of the game.
Just three minutes later, Mary Fowler doubled Australia’s advantage as Emily Condon then nailed the third goal in the eighth minute of play.
Following the hectic start, Australia seemed to take their foot off the pedal as numerous chances went a begging while Malaysian keeper Nurul Mazlan kept up with the tough work schedule.
With the score at just 3-0 at the half, Chidiac turned up the heat to complete her hat trick with further goals in the 51st and 74th minute while Fowler grabbed her second of the game in the 61st minute.
Amy Sayer then completed the rout with the seventh goal a minute to the end.
“It is always pleasing to start a tournament with a win and also by such a score,” said Australian head coach Leah Blayney.
“But obviously we need to improve on certain things especially to be more clinical in front of the goal.”
AFF WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP
RESULTS – Group A
Malaysia 0 Australia 7
Cambodia 12 Timor Leste 0
FIXTURES – All matches at Jaka Baring Stadium
1 July 2018 – Group B
1600: Philippines vs Myanmar
1900: Singapore vs Indonesia
