Tran Nhat Lan landed a double to deliver Vietnam they first three points in Group A of the AFF Under15 Girls’ Championship 2019 that was played this evening at the Institute of Physical Education Stadium.

Following from Myanmar’s big win over Timor Leste earlier, the battle between Vietnam and the Philippines were end to end as both teams were all eager in search of their first full points.

But while the Philippines were cool, calm and collected against a well organised team like Vietnam, it was obvious that they were having trouble to get into their opponent’s backline.

And with Pham Thanh Huyen having a good control of the midfield, the Philippines were struggling to get more presence in the last quarter of the pitch.

Bui Thi Thuong tested Philippines keeper Maria Andrea Evangelista early in the sixth minute that was blocked while some moments later, it was Nhat Lan’s turn with a first timer.

In the 24th minute, Philippines had their first look at goal but Angely Alterez’s attempt went wide even though custodian Le Thi Tra My was off position.

Howevere, there was no denying Nhat Lan Vietnam’s first goal of the game when she fired in from the right to totally catch Maria flat footed.

With the score to Vietnam’s advantage in the first half, the Philippines upped their game after the breather but again, they just could not find their way through against a well-disciplined Vietnam backline.

And as their frustration grew, it was Vietnam who went ahead again in the 62nd minute of play with Nhat Lan firing in from the edge of the box that came down the Philippines crossbar and into goal.

“I am of course satisfied with the results considering that for most of the players, this was their first international experience,” said Vietnam head coach Nguyen Thi Mai Lan. “But there’s room for improvements obviously, so we will encourage them to do better in their next game.”

 

RESULTS – GROUP A

Myanmar 26 Timor Leste 0

Vietnam 2 Philippines 0

 

11 May 2019

FIXTURES – GROUP B

1500: Cambodia vs Malaysia

1800: Singapore vs Thailand

 

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