AFF U18: Another big win for Indonesia; Laos edge Brunei

Indonesia scored another big win in Group A of the AFF Under-18 Next Media Cup 2019 when they whipped Brunei DS 6-1 in the third game of their campaign at the Binh Duong Stadium this evening.

The huge win gave Indonesia not only continued control at the top of the group but also saw them taking the accolade – at least for now – as the top-scoring team in the competition this year.

The Indonesians have scored a total of 17 goals as against conceding twice as they lead Group B with a total of nine points from three matches played.

“It was another good win but it was achieved with a lot of hard work,” said Indonesia head coach Fakhri Hussani. “The victory is important towards our march to the next round of the championship.”

Amiruddin Bagus Alfikri, who had sat out Indonesia’s last game when they beat Timor Leste 4-0, was on the double today when he found the back of the net in the eighth and 76^th minute as team-mate Rendy Juliansyah, grabbed a brace off goals in the 11^th and 44^th minute.

Indonesia’s two other goals were scored by Beckham Putra Nugraha in the 25^th minute and Khairul Imam Zakiri in the 34^th minute as Brunei nailed their only goal of the game through Mohd Hilmi Sidik right on the hour.

In the meantime in the final game of the evening, Laos edged the Philippines 1-0.

In an evenly contested affair, both teams were exchanging blows for blows under rainy conditions before striker Akhhom Thoranin scored the only goal of the game with two minutes left on the clock.

“It was a hard game and it was quite a battle on the pitch. But I think that the three points are important as it allowed us to continue with our campaign,” added Laos head coach V. Sundramoorthy.

On the other hand, Myanmar edged Timor Leste 1-0 in the match that was played at the Thong Nhat Stadium.

With powerhouse Indonesia already taking a five-goal lead at the half against Brunei DS across town at the Binh Duong Stadium, Myanmar had to be cautious against a determined Timor Leste side before getting the all-important goal in the second half.

“This game is very important as we know that we have to win to keep pace with Indonesia. But at the same time too, we had to be cautious in that we were playing against an experienced Timorese side,” said Myanmar head coach Soe Myat Win after the match.

With the match swinging from under the heat and then a sudden downpour, the only thing consistent in the tie was the performance of both teams as they played it safe and were not letting much space to roam.

And considering what is at stake where winning the full points would certainly have an effect for a place in the next round, chances were few with Timor ‘s Orcelio Da Silva testing Myanmar keeper Nay Lin Htet at the half-hour mark with a crisp shot that forced a fabulous block from the latter.

Myanmar finished the first half with their first real chance in the 43^rd minute with a playback from Hein Htet Aung that was ballooned over by striker La Min Htwe.

There was no throwing caution to the win well into the second half as while Myanmar maintained their cautiousness, they still pushed forward in search of the goal.

And it finally came in the 71^st minute when substitute Moe Swe latched on to a freekick from Yan Kyaw Soe.

Timor Leste tried to look for late salvation but it never came as Myanmar stuck to their guns for the third full points of their campaign.

RESULTS –10 August 2019

GROUP A

Myanmar 1 Timor Leste 0

Brunei DS 1 Indonesia 6

Philippines 0 Laos 1

FIXTURES – 11 August 2019

GROUP B

1530: Malaysia vs Cambodia – Thanh Long

1630: Australia vs Thailand – Binh Duong

1930: Singapore vs Vietnam – Binh Duong

GROUP A

GROUP B

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